Aurora taking applications for five new committees aimed at giving community recommendations to city departments

The city of Aurora is launching five “public transition committees” meant to give community members input on developing recommendations for city departments, according to a news release from the city.

Residents can apply to be part of one of the committees through July 7.

This is a new initiative for the city, a spokesperson for the city told The Beacon-News on Tuesday.

The five committees will be focused on: Finance and fiscal responsibility, sustainability and development, housing, public safety, and youth and education.

The Finance and Responsibility Committee will develop a 100-day goal and four-year budget and finance plan for the city, according to the release.

The Sustainability and Development Committee is set to develop a climate plan, including energy-efficient homes and renewable energy through accessible initiatives, as well as a plan for preserving Aurora’s green spaces.

The Housing Committee will look at accessibility and affordability, with a focus on green building, and will make recommendations for how to support the city’s unhoused population, the release said.

The Public Safety Committee is set to design a public safety plan that uses “innovative methods of crime prevention” and that focuses on strengthening community involvement, city officials said.

Lastly, the committee focused on youth and education will help develop after-school programs and other education initiatives, according to the release.

To be eligible to serve on one of the committees, applicants must live in Kane, DuPage, Will or Kendall counties or have connections to the Aurora community, the release said, and commit to spending two to four hours each month at committee meetings.

Interested residents can apply through July 7 at: www.aurora.il.us/PTC.

mmorrow@chicagotribune.com