Structure

The City of Dayton has established 7 Priority Boards across the city as the "official voice of Dayton's neighbourhoods". Each Priority Board must elect its members and must ensure that each neighbourhood within the Priority Board area is represented. The representation plan varies from Board to Board but all representatives must be registered voters. The usual term is three years. Priority Board members participate in various committees and task forces as the official representative of the neighbourhood. There is a Division of Neighbourhood Affairs which supports the work of Priority Boards and neighbourhood groups. Boundaries for Priority Boards are established by the city on the basis of precincts or electoral boundaries. City commissioners are elected on a city-wide basis.

Scope of Activities

A resolution of the City Commission (council) established Priority Boards "as the official voice of Dayton's neighbourhoods, although the City Commission carries the ultimate responsibility for public policy decisions." Activities have ranged from budget recommendations to liquor license renewals to zoning decisions to neighbourhood park design.
Priority Boards make recommendations to the Commission and City Administration on planning and zoning decisions; responsiveness and effectiveness of city services; appointments to boards and agencies which provide services to neighbourhoods; Liquor License renewal, transfers and other changes; surplus land sales.
Priority Boards also "identity and present the neighbourhood view as to which public services require continuation and which could be cut or reduced; make recommendations as to neighbourhood variations in service or expansions as appropriate; review and comment on proposed plans to reduce City services". Priority Boards are the official information dissemination vehicle for the City as well as other public agencies and community groups. Boards also undertake a wide range of self-help projects that vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.
Each Priority Board sends a representative to the Community Development Block Grant Task Force who make recommendations to the City Manager on the application for and disbursement of federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).

Resources

Each Priority Board is provided a staff complement of 3 mid-management staff and 1 full-time clerical position by the City of Dayton. Each Priority Board has a site office equipped with computers, photocopiers, fax machines, etc., which are available to neighbourhood groups for newsletter production. Distribution of material is the responsibility of the neighbourhood. Community Development Block Grants may be targeted to specific neighbourhoods or Priority Board areas. Neighbourhoods are required to match funds according to the nature of the project and the neighbourhoods' needs.

History and Comments

Priority Boards were established in Dayton in 1975 as Dayton's citizen participation vehicle. The City Manager played a key role pursuing this initiative. The Priority Boards are now an established partner in doing business in Dayton. The city sees citizen participation in decision-making as essential "to encourage a sense of control and self-determination". The city sees the Priority Boards as providing a useful service to civic departments in channeling information on the whole range of city government activities.
"As a result of the Priority Boards, Dayton city government has been more responsive to its neighbourhoods. City government officials have been in a better position to understand what citizens want and expect, while Dayton residents have developed a greater appreciation for the capacities in City government."