If a citizen wishes to participate directly in city government, one means is to serve on a local government commission, board or advisory committee. In the case of cities, the charter generally states the local government's power to create commissions, boards and advisory committees when such needs arise, and includes the powers, duties and composition of any such permanent bodies. Temporary bodies may be created and abolished by resolution or administrative order. Advisory committees serve an important function in providing expertise in certain areas of city or county concern. Usually established at the request of the Commission, they may be made up of both citizens and Commission members and may deal with issues and problems which are deemed worthy of special consideration and advisement.
Committees add another degree of local government responsiveness to the public interest.
They provide an excellent opportunity for citizens to actively participate in the operation of their local government. Advisory committees are not of the same significance as commissions or boards, lacking the power to make or administer policy on their own. Instead, advisory committees take up matters that deserve the extra attention and consideration that only a group of interested, concerned citizens can render. The City of Daytona Beach has a Commission - Manager form of government. The City of Daytona Beach has a total of 27 boards with two of that number consisting of membership from the City Commission.