Smithville celebrates first Citizens Academy graduates after seven-week program

Ten residents completed a seven-week Citizens Academy hosted by the Smithville city government, organizers and graduates said at the Board of Aldermen meeting.

The mayor opened the meeting by congratulating the class; a program presenter said the graduates attended seven Monday-night sessions, each about three hours, and heard from every city department. "I hope that as these graduates go forward, they now have a deeper understanding of how the city operates," the presenter said.

Organizers Gina and Cynthia were singled out for arranging the curriculum and logistics. A city official said Gina attended every session and worked through the spring and summer to assemble department presentations and activities.

Graduates praised the program’s hands-on elements. "I didn't realize how much went into [wastewater treatment]; I was just appalled by that," one graduate said, describing the wastewater plant visit as the most eye-opening night. Several others highlighted police demonstrations, including a taser demonstration and a drone presentation, and said finance night helped them understand where city funds come from and how they are spent.

Participants described personal benefits and community value. One graduate who is new to Smithville said the training had helped them feel safer and better connected; another said they planned to use the knowledge to correct misinformation in their neighborhoods.

Mayor comments during the meeting indicated the city intends to budget the Citizens Academy again; staff and aldermen said some sessions (notably finance) may need longer presentations in future iterations.

The Board took no formal policy action related to the program during the meeting. The graduates posed for a group photo and were publicly thanked before the meeting moved to other agenda items.