By Margaret Young 

intern@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The city of Salisbury is accepting applications for the 2018 Salisbury Citizens Academy, in which participants get a hands-on, inside view of city operations and a better understanding of how and why the city provides services.

The academy offers 10 weeks of classes meeting at different city facilities for fun and interactive exercises with local government staff.

The classes will start Sept. 6 and end with a graduation Nov. 1.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore the fire, police, solid waste, and parks and recreation departments.

Officials in each departments will cover topics such as how clean water is delivered to residents and how the Fire Department decides which trucks should respond to different calls.

This will be the fifth year the city has offered the program.

Kelly Baker, assistant to the city manager, said the program was started to engage residents, create a sense of transparency, build relationships, and inspire future leaders.

“It has really helped build relationships between the city and residents,” Baker said. “It puts a face with city services.”

According to Baker, the program has produced 66 graduates over the past four years. Of those, 23 percent are serving on city boards and commissions.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity. It’s a lot of fun,” Baker said.

Classes are free and open to anyone who is at least 16, although priority will be given to residents of Salisbury.

Each session will meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays. Dinner will be provided.

To apply, visit www.salisburync.gov/CitizensAcademy or call 704-638-5233.

The deadline to apply is July 31.