MVM Civics 101 Index

🏛️ MVM CIVICS 101 — Boards and Commissions

What Do City Boards and Commissions Do?

The short answer

Moreno Valley’s boards and commissions give residents a way to take part in City government.

Members study issues, hold public meetings and make recommendations.

Some boards and commissions can also make certain decisions. Others only give advice.

They do not all have the same powers.

What boards and commissions does Moreno Valley have?

Moreno Valley has several appointed boards and commissions. They cover subjects such as:

Each body has its own duties, membership rules and area of focus.

The City’s website provides the current list of boards and commissions.

Are board and commission members elected?

No.

Moreno Valley’s boards and commissions are made up of volunteers.

Members may spend a great deal of time attending meetings, reading reports, listening to residents and learning the rules. But they are not regular City employees.

Are these paid City jobs?

No.

Moreno Valley describes its boards and commissions as volunteer bodies.

Members may spend substantial time attending meetings, reviewing reports, listening to residents and learning the rules that apply to their work. But they are not regular City employees.

Do all boards and commissions have the same authority?

No. This is the most important difference.

Some bodies are mainly advisory. They study an issue and recommend what the City Council or City staff should do.

Other bodies can make certain decisions when the law gives them that power.

The word “commission” does not tell you how much power the body has. You must look at what that commission is being asked to do in that particular case.

What does an advisory commission do?

After receiving a recommendation, the City Council may:

A recommendation is advice. It is not a final decision.

Can a board or commission make a final decision?

Sometimes.

A board or commission can make a final decision when City or state law gives it that power.

For example, the Planning Commission can approve or deny certain development applications. It can also add requirements, called conditions, to some approvals. On other matters, it only makes a recommendation to the City Council.

The Accessibility Appeals Board hears certain appeals involving access for people with disabilities.

What the body can do depends on the issue before it.

How can residents tell whether an action is final?

Read the meeting agenda and staff report. They should explain what the board or commission is being asked to do.

Look for words such as:

If the body is making a recommendation, someone else will make the final decision.

If the body is making the decision, the staff report should explain whether that decision can be appealed.

Can a board or commission pass a City law?

Generally, no.

The City Council passes City laws, called ordinances.

A board or commission may recommend a new ordinance or a change to an existing one. But its recommendation does not become law by itself.

Can a board or commission spend City money?

Boards and commissions may recommend programs, projects or budget priorities.

They generally cannot control the City budget or spend City money on their own.

The City Council approves the budget. City staff carries it out.

Can commissioners direct City employees?

Generally, no.

City staff helps boards and commissions by:

Commissioners may ask staff for information through the proper process. They do not supervise City employees or give orders directly to them.

What is the difference between staff and the commission?

City staff and commissioners have different roles.

City staff:

The board or commission:

The board or commission does not have to agree with the staff recommendation.

Can one member act for the whole board or commission?

Generally, no.

A member may ask questions, share an opinion and vote during a public meeting. But one member cannot make a decision or recommendation for the entire board or commission.

Enough members must first be present to conduct business. This is called a quorum.

The members then discuss the matter and vote. A motion usually requires a majority of the members voting to pass. A tie vote does not pass.

The exact number of votes may vary because boards and commissions have different numbers of members, and some decisions have special voting rules.

Are commission meetings open to the public?

Generally, yes.

Board and commission meetings usually must follow California’s public-meeting law.

This generally requires:

State law allows a few limited exceptions.

Can residents speak directly to a commission?

Yes.

Residents may attend meetings and comment on subjects handled by that board or commission.

Some bodies also accept written comments before a meeting. The agenda explains how and when comments may be submitted.

Speaking at a meeting does not mean the commission must agree. It gives residents a formal way to share information and opinions.

Does a commissioner represent a Council district?

Not in the same way a Councilmember does.

A district Councilmember may take part in recommending someone for appointment. Once appointed, the person serves on the full board or commission and must follow its rules.

A commissioner cannot cast a Council vote or make promises for the City Council.

Does appointment mean the Council agrees with everything a commissioner says?

No.

An appointment allows someone to serve on the board or commission.

It does not mean the Mayor or Council agrees with every statement, opinion or vote that person later makes.

Each member is responsible for their own conduct and votes.

Why does the City use boards and commissions?

Boards and commissions can:

Boards and commissions allow residents to take part in City government without running for City Council.

The key point

Not every board or commission has the same authority.

Some give advice. Some make specific decisions. Some do both, depending on the issue.

To understand what happened, ask:

Next in MVM Civics 101

This completes our first group of explainers about the people and bodies involved in Moreno Valley City government.

Next, we’ll look at how these roles work together—including who proposes development and how an application moves through the City review process.

Official sources

About MVM Civics 101

MVM Civics 101 explains how Moreno Valley local government works in plain language. It is intended to explain governmental roles and processes—not to support or oppose any candidate, official, project or political position.

This article provides general educational information based on official records and authoritative sources. It is not legal advice. Moreno Valley Matters® is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Moreno Valley.

If you identify a possible factual error, please send us the specific statement and an authoritative source supporting the correction. Documented errors will be corrected transparently.

Last reviewed: September 1, 2026