City of Sarasota launches eComments to boost public participation in meetings

Feature already live in advance of July 6-7 City Commission meetings

This section of the City of Sarasota’s upcoming local government meetings page shows the links for eComments. Image courtesy City of Sarasota

The City of Sarasota is launching eComments, “a new online tool aimed at increasing participation in public meetings and making it easier for members of the public to share their opinions,” the city announced on June 24.

Following the publication of a meeting agenda on the city’s website, residents may review its details and indicate their positions on particular items, the release explains. “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, provided to City Commissioners in advance of the meeting and attached to the public record of the meeting,” the release points out.

“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,” said City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs in the release.

Agendas typically are posted on the city’s website 10 days in advance of a meeting. They may be viewed by clicking on the “Meetings/Agendas/Video” button on SarasotaFL.gov. From there, a person may click on the “eComments” link found next to the upcoming meeting agenda, the release notes.

The feature already has been made available for the July 6-7 City Commission meetings, the release points out. Members of the public may use the eComments feature up to 72 hours prior to the start of a meeting, the release adds.

Individuals also are welcome to provide comments in person during meetings at City Hall, which is located at 1565 First St. in downtown Sarasota, or via Zoom (email Clerk@SarasotaFL.gov by 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to a regular City Commission meeting for instructions).

Additionally, written comments may 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, Frontier channel 32) and on the city’s Facebook page (search for “City of Sarasota, Government”), the release notes.