Understanding community councils

Many people wonder how they can get involved in helping shape their communities. One of the most overlooked ways is by joining community councils. These groups are like a bridge between neighborhoods and the borough government, but many people don’t know what they do or how to take part.

Community councils are independent, non-profit groups that give advice about specific neighborhoods or areas. You can think of them as a way for your neighborhood to speak up about local issues. They listen to what people in the community think and share those concerns with borough officials.

Many people think community councils are part of the government, but that’s not true. They are independent groups that work closely with government officials. Because they aren’t official government bodies, they can be more flexible and responsive to the needs of the community. However, this also means they have to pay for their work through membership fees or other ways, like fundraising. It also means that the Borough Clerk’s office does not have authority to censure mistakes made by community councils.

Getting involved in your local community council is simple and open to everyone who lives in the area. The first thing you can do is attend a meeting, which is open to the public even if you aren’t a member yet. You can find the meeting schedules on the borough’s website or on local bulletin boards around your community. Once you go to a meeting, you can let them know you’re interested in joining and pay a small membership fee if there is one. These fees are usually low and help cover things like renting meeting spaces or creating materials for communication. The Big Lake Community Council, for instance, charges $10 for a one year voting membership.

Community councils are set up to be fair and welcoming to everyone. At their regular meetings, people can talk about local issues and share ideas. Members can also join smaller committees that focus on specific topics such as parks, roads, or public safety. This setup allows residents to work on the issues they care most about.

It’s important to know what community councils cannot do. They don’t have the power to make laws, enforce rules, or make final decisions about borough policies. Instead, their strength comes from informing and influencing decision-makers by providing thoughtful recommendations and speaking up for the community.

They often weigh in on important issues like land use, public safety, and plans for new subdivisions or projects. For instance, if someone wants to build something in your neighborhood, the community council would look over the plans and share the opinions of residents with the borough’s planning or platting commissions. They can also nominate community projects for the Borough’s Capital Improvement Program.

Because the Mat-Su Borough is so large, community councils are especially important for ensuring that different neighborhoods and regions have a voice. The number of active councils can change over time as communities grow or shift, but they represent a variety of places, such as Sutton, Glacier View, Skwentna, Trapper Creek, and more. Each council is unique and focuses on the specific needs and concerns of its area. They are needed in an area the size of the Mat-Su because the Assembly is only seven people representing a land mass larger than the island of Ireland.

If you want to make a difference in your community, joining a community council is a great place to start. It’s a chance to learn how local government works, connect with neighbors who care about the same issues, and solve problems together. To find your local council, you can contact the Mat-Su Borough Clerk’s office or check the Borough website for a list of active councils and meeting times. Although the Borough does not run community councils, they provide a lot of support.

Strong communities are a result of people’s care and action. Whether you’re worried about new developments, want to improve safety, or just want to help shape the future of your neighborhood, your local community council is ready to hear from you and welcomes your input.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.