Sarasota County revives Civics 101 program to educate residents on local government

The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners held a regular meeting on December 13, 2024, where several key topics were discussed, including updates on facility construction and the revival of a civic engagement program.

The meeting began with an update on the construction of a new facility, which has been designed as shell space. Officials announced that construction document plans have been completed, and construction is set to commence soon, with hopes of completion by fall 2025. This facility will house the 311 service team and some staff from the Office of Financial Management (OFM), who will be taking over the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) functions previously managed by the City of Sarasota.

Following this update, the commissioners discussed the return of the Civics 101 program, which had been paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program aims to educate residents about county operations through tours, presentations, and various educational opportunities. A team from the communications department has developed a new plan for the program, which is set to be implemented in 2025.

Commissioner Mash expressed enthusiasm for the program's revival and suggested incorporating a budgeting exercise into the curriculum. He noted that this hands-on experience could enhance participants' understanding of the county's budget process, especially for newly elected officials who may not be familiar with it. The commissioners acknowledged this suggestion and indicated that they would explore the possibility of including such an activity in the program.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the county's commitment to improving community engagement and education, as well as ongoing efforts to enhance local services through facility development. Further details on the implementation of the Civics 101 program and the construction timeline will be monitored in upcoming meetings.