How the Harbor Springs Selection Process Works – How and Why ?

Dec 2, 2025

Guide to City Board & Commission Appointments:

How Oversight and Representation Are Balanced

Harbor Springs uses a mix of mayoral nominations and City Council appointments to ensure balanced oversight. In some cases the Mayor selects and the Council confirms; in others the Council appoints directly. Here is a clear breakdown of who does what:

Boards Where the City Council Appoints Members Directly

1. Board of Review (Assessments)

  • Who appoints? City Council — all three members.

  • Mayor’s role? None.

  • Why it matters: Council has full control, allowing them to select members based on community knowledge and fairness in property assessment appeals.

2. Harbor Commission

  • Who appoints? City Council — all nine members.

  • Mayor’s role? Mayor (or designee) sits ex officio, with voting rights.

  • Why it matters: Council determines the full membership, while the Mayor participates without controlling appointments.

Boards Where the Mayor Nominates and the Council Confirms

3. Planning Commission

  • Who nominates? Mayor — 8 of 9 members.

  • Who confirms? City Council.

  • Additional seat: 1 City Council member serves ex officio.

  • Why it matters: Shared power ensures broad representation on a board that shapes zoning and long-term planning.

4. Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

  • Who nominates? Mayor.

  • Who confirms? City Council.

  • Special rule: A majority must have an interest in downtown property.

  • Why it matters: Ensures both democratic oversight and on-the-ground investment in downtown decisions.

5. Parks & Recreation Board

  • Who nominates? Mayor — 4 of 5 members.

  • Who confirms? City Council.

  • Additional seat: 1 City Council member serves ex officio.

  • Why it matters: Similar to the Planning Commission — the Mayor proposes, the Council reviews, and both branches share responsibility for park policy.

Can a City Council Member Nominate Someone to the DDA, Planning Commission, or Parks Board?

No.
Only the Mayor can nominate members to these boards.
The City Council’s role is to confirm or reject those nominations.

Key Takeaways

  • Council-appointed boards: Board of Review, Harbor Commission.

    • Council has full authority over who serves.

  • Mayor-nominates / Council-confirms boards: Planning Commission, DDA, Parks & Rec Board.

    • Creates a check-and-balance system between executive and legislative branches.

  • Why the system works:

    • Prevents any one body from controlling all appointments.

    • Encourages diverse representation.

    • Ensures decisions reflect both community interests and elected oversight.

 

Who nominates PC seats?
Handbook states the Mayor:
2/6/2023

Bylaws states the Planning Commission:
3/19/2021

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City Code states the Mayor:
2/7/2022