Hoping to inspire more people to serve and learn about the City of Powell, Mayor John Wetzel wants to launch a citizen academy.

The academy would allow Powell area residents to get a closer look at how the city operates, by attending a series of educational sessions over a period of weeks. The City of Cody has hosted multiple academies — including one last fall — and Wetzel said he wants to “see how we can make it a Powell thing.”

His hope is that the program will lead more people to step up and serve on one of the city’s many board positions. From the Park County Travel Council to the city’s Urban Systems/Traffic Committee, the mayor is charged with appointing dozens of people to various volunteer positions.

At the Feb. 21 Powell City Council meeting, council members confirmed Wetzel’s decision to reappoint Michaela Jones to the travel council, and Mark Liggett and Mike Martin to the Powell Airport Board.

“Tonight we have some nice people that are willing to continue volunteering,” Wetzel said.

The appointees are among some 33 citizens serving and representing the city on various boards. However, three seats remain vacant — two on the Tree Advisory Board and one on the Board of Adjustment — and Wetzel said finding volunteers can be a challenge.

“People are busy, and they also don’t know what I’m asking when I ask them [to serve],” he said in an interview. That’s why the mayor wants to create a citizen academy. Members of the public would be invited to spend some afternoons or perhaps Saturdays touring city facilities — such as the water treatment facility, transfer station and electrical department — and getting to know city officials.

“If we engage them in some education about the city, they may be willing to engage in some help in keeping it running smooth,” Wetzel said of prospective attendees. “Because, you know, these boards … you’re not gonna get any great thanks for it. … Hopefully it’s an area of interest you want to be involved in and learn about.”

Serving on a board is also a great way to get started on a run for city council, he added.

The mayor envisions launching the academy this fall, seeking applications from potential attendees over a period of several weeks.

“I think overall, even if they don’t get involved, it’s really good to have people understand [how the city operates],” Wetzel said.

To learn more about the city’s open board positions, call city hall at 307-754-5106 or email jwetzel@cityofpowell.com.