City Encourages Comments At Public Meetings With New Online Tool

SARASOTA, FL — To encourage more citizen participation at Sarasota City Commission and other public meetings, the city of Sarasota is launching eComments, a tool that makes it easier for members of the public to share their opinions.

Once a meeting agenda is published on the city’s website, residents can review details and indicate their position on a particular item, the city said in a news release.

After creating an account and logging into the system on any device, users can specify their position on an item — support, oppose or neutral — and leave comments, which will be consolidated by the city auditor and clerk’s office and provided to city commissioners in advance of the meeting. They’ll also be attached to the public record of the meeting.

“We are always looking for ways to make it more convenient and accessible for our citizens to get involved in their city government, so we’re excited about this new option to utilize technology to help people participate,” City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs said.

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Agendas are typically posted on the City’s website 10 days in advance of a meeting and can be viewed by clicking on the Meetings/Agendas/Video button at SarasotaFL.gov. From there, click on the eComments link found next to the upcoming meeting agenda. The feature is now available for the July 6 and 7 city commission meetings. eComments will be accepted for agenda items that allow citizens input up until 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting, the city said.

Individuals can also provide public input in person during meetings at City Hall, 1565 First St., or via Zoom. Email Clerk@SarasotaFL.gov by 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to a regular city commission meeting for instructions on how to access Zoom. Written comments can also be sent to the city commission on any topic at any time by emailing CityCommissioners@SarasotaFL.gov.

City Commission meetings can be viewed live on the City’s website, on Access Sarasota television (Comcast channel 19 and Frontier channel 32) and on the City’s Facebook page.