Summary of Services
- Offers a six-session program on local government operations
- Provides insight into police, fire, rescue, and community planning programs
- Teaches St. Augustine’s historic significance and development
- Reaches out to the community, connecting residents and city services
- Concludes with graduation ceremony and certificate of completion presented by the City Commission
Building Trust and Transparency Through Education
The City of St. Augustine’s Citizens Academy is a six-session program connecting residents of St. Johns County with their municipal leaders and providing a deeper understanding of how local government operates. Its mission is twofold: to inspire the next generation of civic leaders and to strengthen the bonds of trust and cooperation between the city’s leadership and its residents.
Participants begin their journey with an exploration of St. Augustine’s rich history, and from there, they receive an inside look at the daily operations of First Responders, learning about public safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and the role of police, fire, and rescue services in protecting residents.
The program also takes participants behind the scenes at the city’s treatment plants, offering a rare opportunity to see how water is purified, recycled, and delivered to homes and businesses. Along the way, they learn about environmental compliance, sustainable resource management, and the importance of routine maintenance in keeping services running efficiently.
Teaching The Importance of City Collaboration
In later sessions, attendees gain firsthand knowledge of code enforcement, historic preservation processes, and the city’s approach to community outreach. They also explore the critical functions of planning and zoning, delve into solutions for complex issues such as parking management and cybersecurity, and learn how various city departments collaborate to keep St. Augustine running smoothly.
The Citizens Academy experience concludes with a special graduation ceremony, where the City Commission publicly recognizes each participant’s dedication to civic engagement by awarding them a certificate of completion, which symbolizes their commitment to understanding and serving their community.