- Home
- Your Government
- Boards, Commissions & Committees
- Council Committees
Council Committees
There are six standing committees of the City Council. As noted in City Ordinance, each committee, with the exception of the Personnel Committee, consists of three to five members appointed by the Council Chair from the City Council membership. Each committee is tasked with certain duties and responsibilities, as outlined below.
The Committees have authority to approve certain items but generally they make recommendations for full City Council consideration. These committees are where the bulk of the work is done before an item progresses to a City Council meeting for full consideration.
The Business and Economic Development Committee reviews and provides advisory comment to the City Council on proposed Council orders, ordinances, resolves, or other items related to the following departments, divisions, and special appropriation accounts: community and economic development, Bass Park, Parking Fund, golf course, planning, code enforcement, and Economic Development Fund. The committee also reviews and provides advisory comment to City Council regarding agreements for the rental or lease of land and/or buildings, economic development projects, special developmental projects, and changes to the City's parking regulations and policies in the Downtown Parking Management District that require final City Council approval.
B&ED also reviews airport related items like:
- Review and advisory comment to the City Council on proposed Council orders, ordinances, resolves or other items relating to Bangor International Airport.
- Review and advisory comment to the City Council regarding final approval of agreements for the rental or lease of land and/or buildings under the control of the airport. The Committee shall not grant options for the sale of land or buildings or finally authorize the sale of such facilities without prior approval of the City Council. In the event the Committee unanimously recommends approval of an agreement for the rental or lease of land and/or buildings, the Council order for approval shall be placed on the consent agenda portion of the City Council agenda.
- Review and advisory comment regarding capital plans and programs of the airport.
- Advisory assistance to the City Council on federal and state legislation and regulatory matters affecting the Airport Fund.
- Review and advisory comment on such other matters involving the airport as may be referred to the Committee by the Council, the Airport Director, or the City Manager.
The Finance Committee is comprised of five City Council members and has oversight of the majority of the City's financial decisions. The specific duties and responsibilities of the Committee per Chapter 9, Article I, §9-8, C of the City Code are summarized below:
- Review of bids and award of contracts without further action by the City Council, for the purchase of supplies, equipment and services and the construction of public facilities, including public buildings, roads and sewers.
- Review of bids and advisory comment to the City Council on proposed contracts for the purchase of supplies, equipment and services and the construction of public facilities not qualifying for direct award by the Committee.
- Review of bids and final approval for the issuance of bonds for short-term and long-term borrowings where such borrowings have previously been approved by the City Council.
- Review and advisory comment to the City Council regarding proposed Council orders, ordinances, resolves or other items relating to the following departments, divisions and special appropriation accounts: City Council, City Manager, finance, assessing, legal, pensions, insurance, debt service, library, education and county taxes.
- Upon recommendation of the City Manager, City Solicitor, City Finance Director, City Tax Collector or City Treasurer, review and approve, without further action by the City Council, the settlement, compromise or payment of City claims and accounts, including claims against the City, with certain limitations.
- Review and recommendation to the Council on resolves appropriating any City funds.
The specific duties and responsibilities of the Government Operations Committee are outlined in Chapter 9, Article I, §9‐8, D of the City Code.
The Government Operations Committee shall have the following duties:
Review and advisory comment to the City Council regarding proposed Council orders, ordinances, resolves or other items relating to the following departments, divisions and special appropriation accounts: City Clerk, police, fire, health and community services, parks and recreation, harbor, and administrative services.
Some items that may be presented for Committee consideration and discussion include but not limited to:
- Review and approval of City capital projects to include stormwater, sanitary sewer, streets, intersection improvements, pedestrian/bicycle improvements, and trails.
- Review and approval of grants offered through State and Federal agencies, such as Federal Highway Administration, Maine Department of Transportation, and Department of Environmental Protection Agency.
- Review and approval to execute contracts with Maine Department of Transportation for state roadways, pedestrian safety, intersection improvements.
- Review and modification of streets and roadways such as acceptances and discontinuances, and changes in circulation patterns and access.
- Sewer Abatements
- Authorization to obtain or grant permanent easements on City and private property
- Stormwater utility Ordinance modifications.
- The Committee also serves as a venue to provide information for several City issues, such as, watershed management plans, stormwater utility program, and other studies completed by City Staff and City Consultants, and or MaineDOT.
The City Council approved the formation of the Legislative Committee in February 2026 to discuss and coordinate responses to state-level legislation with an impact on the City of Bangor. The work of the Committee focuses on three areas:
- Engage with the City’s state legislative delegation and other elected officials on legislative matters of City interest.
- Provide the City’s state legislative delegation and other elected officials with input on legislative proposals.
- Seek sponsorship of legislation that is in the City’s interest.
Most Council committees meet monthly but the Legislative Committee will meet as required – with its work ramping up when the Maine Legislature is in session.
The Personnel Committee shall be composed of the Council Chair and five other members appointed by the Council Chair from the City Council membership with the Council Chair to serving as the Chair of the Personnel Committee.
The Personnel Committee meets as required. This committee is tasked with the review and advisory comment to the City Council regarding applicants for positions on City boards, commissions and committees. They also hear employee grievances as required by the City of Bangor Personnel Rules and Regulations.