WANT A SAY IN WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN PORT CHARLOTTE?

Charlotte County is looking for residents to serve on local advisory boards — giving everyday people a seat at the table on issues that shape the community.

Here's something a lot of people in Port Charlotte probably don't realize: You don't have to run for office to have a voice in how the community develops.

You don't have to be a politician. And you don't necessarily need a fancy title. Sometimes, you just need to be willing to show up, pay attention and speak up.

Right now,  Charlotte County is looking for volunteers to fill openings on several advisory boards and committees.

The current notice was issued September 1, 2026, and the deadline for several of the positions is Friday, September 18.

So What Exactly Is an Advisory Board?

Think of it as a way for residents to get closer to the decisions that affect everyday life.

Charlotte County maintains a large collection of  boards and committees covering everything from planning and zoning to parks, beaches, waterways and transportation. These aren't all the same thing, and not every board currently has an opening. But together, they give residents different ways to participate in local government. And some of the current vacancies are surprisingly specific.

Want to Have a Say About Roads and Walking Around Town? One of the current opportunities is with the  Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee , better known as BPAC.

The committee makes recommendations to the  Charlotte County-Punta Gorda Metropolitan Planning Organization on bicycle and pedestrian facilities, including transportation planning and projects. The current vacancy notice lists one Mid-County representative and one representative from a local bicycle business.

That means someone who regularly walks, bikes or pays attention to how people move around Port Charlotte could potentially have a direct role in the conversation. The MPO explains that BPAC exists to make recommendations concerning bicycle and pedestrian facilities before transportation decisions are made.

There's Another Transportation Opening Too

The county is also advertising an opening on the  Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board . This particular position is for an experienced representative of the local private for-profit transportation industry. The board deals with identifying transportation service needs and providing guidance concerning transportation services for people who are transportation disadvantaged.

That might sound like government-speak. But at its core, it's about a very simple question: How do people who can't easily drive themselves get where they need to go?

And Then There's the Water. This is Charlotte County, after all. 

So naturally, waterways are part of the picture.

The county has a  Marine Advisory Committee that reviews marine-related issues, including waterways and marine facilities. The committee also considers public input and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.

The county's  Boater Revolving Fund is another example of how local marine decisions can eventually turn into actual projects involving waterways, boating access and related infrastructure.

So while the current vacancy announcement isn't saying there's a new general opening on every county board, it does show how many different pieces of local government exist behind the scenes.

Planning and Development Is Another Big One

If you've ever wondered who looks at zoning changes, future development and land-use decisions, the Planning and Zoning Board is one of the places to look. The board advises the County Commission and the public on zoning, planning and future development.The county's  Planning & Zoning Division also explains how the county handles land use, rezoning, site plans, development proposals and long-range planning.

In other words, if you've ever complained that Port Charlotte is changing too fast — or not fast enough — this is the part of local government worth understanding.

Parks Have a Voice, Too

Another example is the  Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

The seven-member board advises on parks and recreation matters, with members appointed by the County Commission. Its meetings take place at Centennial Park in Port Charlotte, which means residents don't have to travel to some far-off government building just to get involved. And if parks matter to your family, that's worth paying attention to.

Beaches and Shores Are Part of the Conversation

Charlotte County also has a Beaches and Shores Advisory Committee . That committee advises the county on protecting and restoring beaches and shorelines. It also considers the environmental, economic and social importance of the county's coastal areas. Again, this is one of those things that can sound distant until you realize that beaches and shorelines are a pretty big part of life around here.

Here's the Part You Really Need to Know

The Bottom Line

You don't have to agree with every decision being made around Port Charlotte. You don't have to be a lifelong politician. And you certainly don't need to wait until election season to have an opinion. 

If you've ever said, "Someone should do something about that," this might be your chance to find out what happens when that someone is you.

Because sometimes the biggest changes in a community start with one ordinary resident deciding to show up.