Challenge yourself by committing to an 8-week session and find out what it takes to run the City of Punta Gorda.

Program History - The Citizens Academy program was developed by a Public Works employee in 2011, at the request of a city council member. The council member attended an orientation provided by the department experts, which provided such great information that they suggested that our residents should have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how our city works. To date, there have been over 246 attendees, and growing.

Citizens Academy is free to citizens of Punta Gorda. Attendees must be 18 years or older. Participants must attend at least 8 of the 10 sessions to graduate. This interactive session is designed to provide insight into city government and to develop future leaders through well-informed and civically engaged residents. During the eight-week sessions, participants will become informed about the roles and responsibilities of various City departments and the services they provide to our community. Through presentations and staff demonstrations, participants will gain a better understanding of the part Punta Gorda City government plays in delivering the quality of life that residents all enjoy.

Who - During the program, senior city staff will conduct sessions about their respective departments, including:

• City Manager’s Office – City Council, Legal, Communications, Information Technology, Human Resources
• City Clerk
• Finance – Billing and Collections, Procurement
• Fire
• Police
• Public Works – Administrative, Canal Maintenance, Engineering, Facilities Maintenance, Parks and Grounds, Right of Way, Sanitation
• Urban Design – Building, Planning, Zoning & Code Compliance
• Utilities – Administration, Water Distribution, Wastewater Plant, Water Plant
• EOC – Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center – Administration, Community Services, Office of Emergency Management.

When/Where We Meet -

• The program runs from January through April.
• Tuesdays, Bi-weekly daytime sessions are held from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM.
• Sessions are held at the Public Works campus at 3130 Cooper St.
• The Fire and Police sessions are held in the evening from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM.

Our 2026 Academy registration begins October 1, 2025.

For more information about the academy, contact Laurel Adelmund, Public Works Senior Executive Assistant at (941) 575-5002 or by email: ladelmund@CityofPuntaGordaFL.com. 

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