The City of South Haven's Boards, Commissions and Authorities are formed to assist the City Council on important policy decision that impact the community. Some boards are designed to be the policy-making authority over a particular entitiy; for others, their mission is to make recommendations and advisory opinions to City Council.

Per City Charter, the members of all Boards/Commissions/Authorities shall be limited to serving two (2) consecutive terms, and if they serve more than one-half of any term, it shall be considered a full term. Anyone having served the maximum permitted time as a board member may again become eligible after two (2) years following the expiration of the last term.

Each member of any city board or commission created by or pusuant to the City Charter, shall have been a resident of the City for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the day of their appointment and shall be a qualified and registered elector of the City on such day and throughout the tenure of office. (Authorities are mandated by State Law and therefore must adhere to specific requirements for board qualification. See each Authority listed on left for requirements.)

Annual Appointment/Reappointment Process

In mid-March of each year, Clerk's Office staff will send a letter to each current board/commission/authority member who is eligible for reappointment in May. The letter will ask whether the member wishes to be considered for reappointment.

If vacancies are present after responses are received, staff will publish a list of all available boards/commissions/authorities in the South Haven Tribune by the second week of April each year. A call for applicants will also be made in the City Waves newsletter, city website, and city cable channel 21.

During a regular city council meeting, Council will interview all applicants. Council will act on all appointments and reappointments by the second regular council meeting in May.

Newly-appointed members begin their terms at their first meeting in June.