ABSTRACT

In this chapter, the authors argues that citizen advisory bodies (CAB) were a very successful and widely diffused innovation of an era that hold promise for new local government innovations in the pursuit of goals for democratic legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness. It provides an overview of how CABs are formed, operated, and used based on a review of research, statutes in the states studied, interview findings, a random sample of municipal handbook. CABs are established through a variety of mechanisms, including the municipality’s charter and bylaws, municipal ordinance, citizen petition, administrative request, or governing body resolution. Along with other Progressive era initiatives, CABs were developed to increase the professionalism of local government while reducing corruption. The value of CABs was linked to democratic legitimacy in a manner that is perpetuated in contemporary recommendations. Interviews and document review in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia confirmed that some CABs are required by statute, with detailed requirements for composition, powers, and operations.