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Commission backs youth academy, asks committees and schools to map path to a youth commission
Summary
Board approved staff’s plan to create a youth academy and referred climate, recreation/ROSCO and equity committees to explore adding youth representatives; staff will work with the school board, CTAC and library and return within a year with recommendations and budget considerations.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 11 to develop a youth civic program and to explore steps that could lead to a formal youth commission.
Shannon Hahn of the county manager’s office presented three options: place youth representatives on existing advisory boards, create a separate youth commission, or offer a youth academy modeled on the county’s Citizens Academy. Hahn said the academy model avoids sunshine-law complexities, can accommodate more participants and can be tailored as a week-long intensive or a series of sessions during the school year.
After extensive discussion about transportation, training and how to create a safe space for young people to speak, the board approved a substitute motion that directs staff to: develop a youth academy (Citizens Academy-style or a shorter summer/school-year intensive); refer the idea of a youth representative to the Citizens Climate Advisory Committee, the Recreation/Open Space Advisory Committee (ROSCO) and the Equity Committee and ask those groups to return recommendations; and task staff to work with the School Board, CTAC and the library to explore forming a regional youth commission that would return recommendations in roughly one year, including a budget estimate for the next cycle.
Commissioners discussed target ages (many favored 16–21), concerns that advisory boards may need training to meaningfully include youth, and the benefit of recruiting from student government, debate teams, 4-H and existing youth programs. Several commissioners suggested the youth academy could serve as orientation for students who later join advisory panels or a permanent youth commission.
The motion passed by voice vote. Commissioners also directed staff to coordinate outreach, including a survey of student interest and discussions with school leaders about possible academic credit, volunteer hours or dual-enrollment opportunities tied to participation.
