Now Accepting Applications for Georgetown Citizen Academy

Maybe you have wondered what happens in the police or fire department when you dial 9-1-1, or where you might find a new City park in the future. Or how the City decides how to spend annual road maintenance funding, or how water from Lake Georgetown is purified to become the safe drinking water that comes out of your faucet. Here’s a way to get those questions answered and get an inside view on the City of Georgetown.

The mission of the Georgetown Citizen Academy is to provide the citizens of Georgetown the opportunity to receive an in depth education about the services and operations provided by the City of Georgetown. The goal is that the participants will “graduate” with a greater understanding of municipal operations. Participants will learn about the relationship between the citizens, the City Council, its boards & commissions and the City administration. They will also learn how and why projects are undertaken and the manner in which services are provided, as well as receive an overview of the budget planning process, the development review process, the transportation planning process and many other responsibilities and functions of City government. Each class will be conducted by City staff and will provide an interactive learning experience through which presenters and participants learn from each other using case studies, site tours, group discussion, as well as hands-on experience.

Goals of the Academy

• To educate the public on what their local government does for them.
• To improve and increase citizen awareness and interest in local government.
• To develop citizen understanding of their role in city government.
• To provide an opportunity for citizens to become involved in civic democracy and to see how tax dollars work to improve quality of life for all residents.
• To provide an inside look at the operations of the City of Georgetown.
• To help identify issues and areas of concern for citizens to help develop/implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
• To encourage citizens to become involved in their local government.
• To demonstrate what is provided by the local property tax and utility rates.

Structure of the Academy

• Approximately fifteen (15) students per class; additional classes may be scheduled depending on community interest.
• Nine (9) sessions, approximately 2½- hours each
• Classes will be held on Thursday afternoons from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. beginning October 2, 2008 through December 11, 2008.
• Participants will hear from representatives of more than 20 city departments.
• Upon successful completion of the classes, a diploma will be presented by the Mayor and City Council at the January 13, 2009 City Council Meeting.
• The Georgetown Citizen Academy is free to the participants.

The deadline for submitting applications is September 15, 2008. For additional information, please call (512) 930-3723.

• Application for Citizen’s Academy
• Schedule for Fall 2008 Citizen’s Academy
• Eligibility Requirements