The Citizens' Academy, which was put on hold during the Great Recession before returning in 2019, is an opportunity for participants to see how municipal government operates through interesting, interactive learning sessions, with different City departments featured each week. It's sure to be an eye-opening experience, whether you're learning how our Utilities Department treats and maintains healthy drinking water, what it takes to operate our 55+ city parks, how Broadway and national shows are brought to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall stage or how the Sarasota Police Department protects our community.

Most sessions will be held Thursday evenings from 5:30-8 p.m. beginning Jan. 23, 2020. Space is limited to 25 participants, so we  encourage anyone interested in becoming more engaged with their local government to consider applying online today at sarasotafl.gov/government/planning/neighborhoods. There's no charge for the eight-week course, which is also open to City employees and the media.

 

Thank you to Nancy Kelly and our Planning Department for their efforts in organizing and hosting the course, and thanks to all of our professional staff who take the time to participate in the sessions, educating the attendees and demonstrating their service to our community.  

 

The 2020 Citizens Academy will include sessions with the SPD and many other City departments.