The City Commission's 1975 Informal Resolution established Priority Boards as the official voice of Dayton's neighborhoods, although the City Commission carries the ultimate responsibility for public policy decisions. The Priority Board system is a unique asset which provides representative forums for consideration of differing interest and developing partnerships and consensus on complex issues.
Through its communication networks, key parties are kept informed of actions which affect their neighborhoods and solutions are developed which balance the interest of all those affected. The following defines the roles performed by the Priority Boards:
1) Through their Chairpersons, act as the official voice for their neighborhoods;
2) Identify and prioritize needs, goals and objectives that represent what citizens believe to be important in the preservation of high quality neighborhoods and present those priorities to City government, other local public agencies and Dayton's State Legislative Delegation;
3) Through the Citizens Financial Review Group, Community and Neighborhood Development Task Force, and other established citizen review processes, identify and present the neighborhood view as to which public services require continuation and which could be cut or reduced; make recommendations as to neighborhood variations in service or expansions as appropriate;
4) Identify and advocate the assets of their neighborhoods to community institutions, such as the Board of Realtors and lending community;
5) Form partnerships with Neighborhood Development corporations and other partners to assure desirable and affordable housing by preserving the existing housing stock, creating in-fill housing and increasing home ownership for all income groups;
6) Provide the vehicle and opportunity for all citizens to become involved in government decision-making, ensuring that the Boards reflect the broadest possible representation of their neighborhoods;
7) Provide the vehicle and opportunity for City government, public agencies and community institutions to disseminate information to neighborhoods on actions that concern citizens;
8) Make recommendations to City Commission, City administration, and other agencies on any public action as well as on issues and decisions which affect neighborhood living conditions.
-City of Dayton
