How does a development go from an idea to reality? Who is in charge of your taxes? What is a Bearcat? Where does your garbage go once it gets picked up? How does your favorite park stay maintained all year long? What happens to a book after you return it to the library? What is the Family Museum like without hundreds of kids running around?
The City of Bettendorf is offering its residents the opportunity to learn the answers to those questions and many more during its 2026 Citizen Academy. This annual eight-week course gives “students” an in-depth look at how their city government operates by exploring all 12 city departments: Administration, Community Development, Economic Development, Family Museum, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Legal, Library, Parks & Recreation, Police, and Public Works.
Bettendorf’s 2026 Citizen Academy is open to anyone who lives in the City of Bettendorf and is at least 18 years old. Class begins Thursday, September 10, at 6 p.m. and meets every Thursday evening (with the exception of Thursday, September 23) with the addition of an all-day bus tour on Friday, October 30, that visits the community’s compost facility, wastewater treatment plant, the Scott Area Landfill, Waste Commission of Scott County, Scott Emergency Communications Center, and Iowa American Water Plant. The course will wrap up on Thursday, November 5, with an afternoon bus tour of the City of Bettendorf’s parks in their full fall foliage, followed by a graduation ceremony.
Space is limited. To enroll, email City of Bettendorf Community Engagement Manager Angie Sharp at asharp@bettendorf.org. The deadline to enroll is September 1, 2026, or until the academy is full.
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City of Bettendorf
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