Longboat Key readies for 2025 Citizens Academy class

This season, the town of Longboat Key will continue its annual Citizens Academy to give residents a glimpse into local government. 

The 2025 session starts on Jan. 15 and runs for seven consecutive Wednesdays until Feb. 26. Each session lasts from 9-11:30 a.m., and will officially wrap up at the town commission’s regular meeting at 1 p.m. March 3 for a “graduation” ceremony. 

Participants of the 2025 class will take a deep dive into each town department through interactive sessions, which include refreshments each morning. 

“You'll have an opportunity to learn about your local government and the services and projects that shape the present and future of our town,” the brochure from the town states. “The curriculum has been designed with the expectation that participants will attend all sessions for a more complete knowledge and understanding of our town's government and services.”

Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips said the program has been around “forever,” adding that she’s seen the program since she started with the town 27 years ago. 

Phillips often joins in on sessions and said she still learns something new every time.

Usually, Phillips aims to have about 25-30 people in each class and had 21 already signed up as of Jan. 3. 

With participants from different parts of the country and with varying background knowledge of town government, Phillips said there are often plenty of thought-provoking questions. 

“These questions generate some interesting discussions,” Phillips said.

Phillips often joins in on sessions, and she said she still learns something new every time.

Sessions include talks with the town manager, town attorney, town clerk, Finance Department, Information Technology (IT), Code Enforcement, Public Works, Fire Rescue, police and the Planning, Zoning and Building Department. 

Examples of topics include: how residents' tax dollars are spent, a “behind the scenes” look from IT, town election processes, “Beaches 101,” official records and an overview of wellness programs and public tennis on Longboat Key.

In some sessions, participants will meet at the departments, like Public Works or the Police Department, to take a tour of things like the Public Works boats and police training simulators. The latter, Phillips said, may also include investigation breakdowns from Longboat’s Detective Captain Robert Bourque. 

Often, the department heads will bring in other members of their staff so participants get to know many other faces around the town. 

“The citizens love it, and they meet pretty much everyone,” Phillips said.

With every session, the department leading the day’s session is responsible for supplying the refreshments. 

Over the years, Phillips said this produced a friendly competition among the departments, each vying to whip up the “best” refreshment arrays. 

The Citizens Academy is a way for residents to learn more about the people and processes that drive Longboat Key. Phillips said participants are often intrigued by volunteer boards — like the Planning & Zoning Board — and many end up joining those boards after the academy. 

“It's really a great hook to get others interested in getting involved with the town,” she said.

Seats for the Citizens Academy are limited. Residents interested in being a part of the 2025 class can contact the Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips at [email protected] or 941-316-1999, ext. 1212. 

For more information and a full agenda of sessions, visit the town’s website and look under the “Our Town” and “Public Notices” tabs.