Florence, South Carolina – The City of Florence is once again asking individuals to learn more about how local government works. Applications are now available for the Spring 2026 CityU program. The program is for community members who want to learn more about how the city works. It gives them a structured and engaging opportunity to do so.
CityU is a seven-week class that teaches people about the daily tasks of local administration. The program doesn’t focus on theory; instead, it focuses on how things work in the actual world and how to make decisions.
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The duties of the City Council, boards and commissions, city administration, and staff are explained to the participants. This helps them understand how different segments of the organization work together to support the community.
During the session, participants will also learn about important processes including reviewing development plans and making budgets. Each session is based on talking and interacting, and department heads come to describe their work and answer questions. This access to behind-the-scenes information is meant to assist residents better understand how city services are provided and how local decisions impact quality of life.
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Classes will be held on Monday evenings, beginning March 2, 2026, and running through April 13, 2026. Sessions last around an hour and a half. The first class will start at 5:00 p.m. and the rest of the classes will start at 5:30 p.m., unless otherwise specified. The Council Chambers on the first floor of the City Center at 324 W. Evans Street in Florence will host all of the meetings.
Participants don’t have to pay to join the program, but they do have to be committed. To get a CityU graduation certificate, you need to be there for at least six of the seven sessions. At the end of the course, graduates will also be able to go to a City Council meeting and get formal recognition.
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You must send in your application for the CityU program in the spring of 2026 by February 23, 2026. If you live in the city and have questions or want more information, please call the City Manager’s Office at (843) 665-3113.
