FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:      Donna Marie Collins, Lee County Attorney’s Office
                   (941) 335-2236

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GUIDE HELPS CITIZENS UNDERSTAND PROCESS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 16, 2002) – A new pamphlet helps citizens understand how they can better participate in Lee County Government’s major public meetings.

The “Guide to Public Participation” was produced by the Lee County Attorney’s Office and is available at the Lee County Administration Building and Old County Courthouse, or online at www.lee-county.com/attyguidetipublicpart.pdf.

Members of County Attorney’s Office also are available, by appointment, to give presentations on the public participation process to groups such as civic associations or citizen groups involved in zoning cases.  Contact Ann Polito at 335-2236.  The guide outlines the protocol at the following meetings, and explains how the meetings are conducted and how citizens can better participate in the process:

• Hearing Examiner Process – the Hearing Examiner hears code enforcement cases, appeals from interpretations of the Land Development Code, and applications for variances, special exceptions, and changes in zoning designation.

• Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) – the BOCC is the county’s chief legislative body and meets weekly to set policy and conduct the county’s business.

• Zoning Board – the BOCC also sits as the county’s zoning board.  In that capacity, it receives recommendations from the Hearing Examiner, but has final decision authority on applications to rezone property in the unincorporated areas of the county.

• Local Planning Agency (LPA) – the LPA is a seven-member citizen panel appointed by the BOCC.  The LPA has general responsibility for the county’s Comprehensive Plan, including recommendations to the BOCC on plan changes and proposed amendments.  The comprehensive plan is the county’s blueprint for growth.

The pamphlet details how each of these processes is conducted in open meetings, including the order of the proceeding, layout of the room, and when and how citizens can participate and have their say.  The booklet helps familiarize and demystify what can be an intimidating process for those not routinely involved in it; and, hopefully, will help residents feel more comfortable when they participate in county meetings.

The Lee County Attorney’s Office represents and provides legal advice to the Board of County Commissioners and the county’s departments and divisions.  It also has land-use and litigation sections to provide representation and advice in those matters.  It employs 32 and has an annual operating budget of $3.3 million.