Faced with growing financial challenges caused by a declining real estate market and a corresponding economic downturn that has disrupted historic revenue streams, Sarasota County is pursuing a creative idea to involve local citizens in upcoming budget discussions. At sites throughout Sarasota County on May 22, 30 and 31, the county will host a series of interactive workshops aimed at shaping public policy.

"Get On Board" Web site

The workshops will ask players to participate in scenarios built around a visual portrayal of a fictional community. Teams of participants will face real-world events that require them to make decisions based on spending and priority. Sarasota County Administrator Jim Ley says that choices will be designed to force debate and consensus. No initiative will receive sufficient funds, creating the necessity for collaboration to reach a group consensus. Most important, there will never be a clearly perfect answer.

“If you can think outside the box and want to see things the way local officials must see them in order to govern, we want to hear from you,” said Ley. “Governments are increasingly reaching out to and working through community and neighborhoods to engage citizens. In Sarasota, we’re organizing combinations of large and small group meetings to encourage public discussion and participation that can be formed into a consensus for moving from talk to public policy.”

According to Ley, this is a new form of local government, where working directly with citizens, and involving them in decisions, is as important as representing them. He believes the three budget simulations will encourage and support this ongoing spirit of collaboration.

“What we want residents to take away from these sessions is a better understanding of how Sarasota County balances multiple community priorities, how government allocates resources for those priorities, and how ordinary citizens can share in the decision-making process.”

To meet that goal, participants from all social and economic demographics are invited to attend at least one of the sessions. Afterward, Ley hopes participants will continue to communicate what’s important to them through the program’s interactive Web site, www.scgov.net/getonboard

The workshops will take place:
 

• 6-9 p.m., May 22, Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
• 2-5 p.m., May 30, Venice Community Center, 326 Nokomis Ave., Venice
• 9 a.m.-noon, May 31, Gulf Coast Event and Conference Center at Girl Scout Headquarters, 4780 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota

Each workshop will last approximately three hours and participants should plan to attend the entire session. Light refreshments will be served. Attendance is limited to 300 participants per session.

For more information or to register, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask about ”Get on Board,” or visit www.scgov.net/getonboard.