Sarasota accepting Citizens Academy applications

Sarasota residents interested in how their municipal government works can sign up for a eight week course to learn just about all of it.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 Citizens Academy. The academy will be held on Thursday evenings during February and March.

residents and business owners interested in learning about the inner workings of their municipal government are encouraged to submit an application to Neighborhood & Development Services by Jan. 27.

The sessions are described as engaging and informative, including numerous behind the scenes tours of various city departments.

City operations scheduled to be highlighted include:

• Public Works;

• ;

• ;

• Neighborhood & Development Services;

• Human Resources;

• ;

• Office of Housing & Community Development;

• Financial Administration;

• Office of the City Manager;

• Office of the City Auditor and Clerk; and

• City Attorney.

An informal discussion with City Commissioners will also be part of the academy.

To see a tentative course schedule and application, visit www.sarasotagov.com/npo.

There is no charge for the course; however, participants are asked to commit to attend all eight evening sessions. The Citizens Academy is scheduled to begin Thursday, Feb. 9, and concludes Thursday, March 29.

The academy will culminate with a graduation ceremony during the City Commission meeting on Monday, April 2.

For more information visit www.sarasotagov.com/npo or contact Nancy Kelly with Neighborhood and Development Services: 941-954-2612.