• Office located in City Hall, 110 E. Main Street
• Phone 863-452-4403
• Email: apcitymanager@avonpark.cc (City Manager)

The City Manager administers and oversees daily operations of the City. The City Manager executes and implements public policy as created by the City Council; makes reports and recommendations to the Council; ensures that all City ordinances and resolutions are implemented and enforced. The City Manager oversees all departments and staff.

Topic of the Week:

The City of Avon Park makes every attempt feasible to keep its citizens informed as to the business conducted on their behalf by City government.  I would like to discuss in this article some of the methods the City uses to inform its citizens of the day-to-day business conducted by the City.

Under the Government in the Sunshine law all City business with few exceptions must be conducted in publicly noticed meetings that are open to the public.  The requirement applies not only to the City Council but also to any board committee or commission that conducts business on be half of the City.

The most basic method of noticing meetings is the bulletin board.  The City has two bulletin boards where it posts notifications of meetings.  The official bulletin board is in City Hall just inside the rear doors.  There is another bulletin board outside of the entrance to the City Council Chambers, which are located behind City Hall.  On the bulletin boards city staff post meeting agendas with the date, time and location of the meeting as well as the items that will be discussed.  On the City Council Chambers bulletin board proposed ordinances are posted so that citizens can view them when City hall is closed.

Another method of public notification is the local print and broadcast media.  Notices, agendas and the City Manager’s commentary on each agenda item for City Council meetings are faxed to the local newspapers and radio station for publication prior to each meeting.  Usually the newspapers will print articles discussing items on the agenda.

A third method of notification is the Internet.  The City has a website at www.avonpark.cc where the entire packet for the City Council meetings may be viewed.  The packet includes the agenda, City Manager’s commentary, ordinances, resolutions and backup material for the agenda items.

As you can see the City of Avon Park is very diligent in attempting to keep the public informed about governmental happenings but it takes two to communicate.  The public must be diligent about keeping themselves informed in order to effectively help govern their community.