Chatham County seeks applicants for key advisory committees

Pittsboro, NC – Chatham County is seeking individuals to apply for several upcoming vacancies on its advisory committees. Service on committees is a great way for residents to have a voice on issues of interest and make a difference in the community. Individuals must be a resident (18 and older) of Chatham County to serve on advisory committees. The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 5 p.m.

Some of the vacancies are assigned to specific areas of the county identified by county commissioner election districts. A map of commissioner districts is on the county website. Residents also can look up their commissioner district for their address on the NC State Board of Elections website.

An online application can be found here. Applicants may contact Lacee George at lacee.george@chathamcountync.gov or 919-542-8200 to request a printed application.

Library Advisory Committee: The Library Advisory Committee advises library staff on the operation of the county’s public libraries. Primary goals are representing and responding to current library needs and issues and promoting the use of library services and programs by all residents.

The Library Advisory Committee has one upcoming vacancy assigned to Commissioner District 3. The appointed person would serve a three-year term ending June 30, 2026.

The committee meets quarterly and sometimes rotates to each of the three library locations. The dates and starting times vary.

Recreation Advisory Committee: The Recreation Advisory Committee advises the County Board of Commissioners and staff on recreation programs and county-owned recreation and park facilities. It will play a key role in implementing the Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan adopted in 2019.

The committee has one upcoming vacancy for Commissioner District 5 and the person appointed will fill a three-year term ending June 30, 2026.

The committee typically meets six times a year on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Meeting locations vary.

Environmental Review Advisory Committee: Chatham County seeks applicants for several vacancies on its Environmental Review Advisory Committee (ERAC), which advises the Board of Commissioners on environmental policy and related county ordinances and serves as the Chatham County Watershed Review Board. The Board of Commissioners especially seeks applicants with environmental expertise or interests.

The vacancies are assigned to Commissioner Districts 2, 3, and 5. One vacancy for District 5 is for an unexpired term ending June 30, 2025. The remaining vacancies are for a three-year term ending June 30, 2026. Anyone interested in the position should apply regardless of where they live in the county.

The ERAC typically meets six or more times a year on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Pittsboro area.

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee: The Affordable Housing Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on procedures and policies related to affordable housing. They have been focused on implementing the Affordable Rental Housing Strategy Toolbox and developing new strategies on affordable home ownership and transitional housing.

The committee has two vacancies for Commissioner Districts 3 and 5, and the expiration of all terms is June 30, 2026.

The committee currently meets the first Thursday of the month at the Old Agriculture Building Auditorium in Pittsboro. Questions may be directed to Chatham County Housing and Community Development Officer Leah Dyson at leah.dyson@chathamcountync.gov. 

Transportation Advisory Committee: Residents interested in transportation issues around Chatham County can learn about and help shape recommendations by serving on the county’s Transportation Advisory Committee. The committee identifies and studies transportation issues and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. Members are appointed by the county commissioners.

The committee has three vacancies for Commissioner Districts 1, 4, and 5. Appointed persons will serve a term ending June 30, 2026.

This advisory committee will meet only as needed to accomplish the purposes that include providing input into the development of the County’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan every five to 10 years as the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) requests; providing input into NCDOT’s transportation project prioritization process within the county; major transportation projects or related issues of concern as assigned by the Board of Commissioners, Planning Department, or TAC Chairs.

Interested residents from any part of the county should apply. Questions may be directed to Brandon Dawson at 919-545-8365 or brandon.dawson@chathamcountync.gov.