The academy, set to begin June 15, is a nine-week session designed to provide citizens with a close-up view of all facets of city government from emergency services and transportation to the business of water and budgeting tax dollars, the news release said.

The academy will be from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Monday, June 15 through August 11, the news release said. City Administrator Dean Kruithof said the Citizens Academy is a way of opening up the city to be more transparent, more accessible and give people an understanding of what the city does on a day-to-day basis.

The academy also can be a learning tool for the city, he added. As citizens see the operations of each department, they may have ideas and suggestions for improvement.

The city plans to organize a Citizens Academy twice a year and applications will be accepted year-round. Classes will be limited to 15 participants.

For more information about the Citizens Academy, contact Jerry Adams at Branson City Hall at 417-337-8526 or e-mail him at jadams@branson mo.gov.