FAQs

Gathering as much feedback and input from the community on important topics and projects is important and allows us to make decisions and plan for the desired future of Tarpon Springs. Traditional public engagement usually involves attending public meetings, open houses, or by providing written submissions to decision making bodies. This can often be time consuming, inconvenient, and sometimes intimidating. This platform doesn’t replace these methods, but instead Connect Tarpon Springs provides and alternative way to engage on issues that are important to you, at a time and place of your choice. Here is what Connect Tarpon Springs can offer:

• It’s a quick, safe, and convenient way to have your say on a range of issues and topics.
• You can learn all about a project or issue by having easy access to supporting documentation and resources right on the project page.
• You can see what neighbors and other community members think about a topic, respond with your own views, and engage in a discussion.
• It allows for a range of different people, with different views to discuss matters that impact their community.

Feedback can be summited via the online discussion forums, quick polls and surveys relevant to each of the open projects.

To participate for the first time, simply:

• Register for Connect Tarpon Springs by clicking the “Sign Up!” button found at the top of each page.
• Choose a unique username and password.
• Complete a few questions about yourself.
• You will receive an email to validate your email address.
• Return to the site and click the “Sign In” button and start providing your feedback!

Note: Your comments will appear under your username, and you can comment anonymously though a username of your choice.

Although registration is not required to view conversations or even to participate in some quick polls, it is necessary for many of the more in-depth engagement opportunities. Here are a few reasons why:

• It helps to ensure a broader set of perspectives are represented by tying feedback and frequency of feedback to individuals.
• It promotes accountability and encourages people to provide more thoughtful responses because feedback is attributed to them.
• It allows us to keep in touch when something new is happening.
• It allows us to better understand the data when we know who it’s coming from.

During the registration process you will be asked a few questions, such age range and neighborhood. These questions will help us to better understand the feedback. For example, if a majority of people in a neighborhood feel one way about an important issue being discussed, while people from outside of that neighborhood feel differently, it is good to understand theirs is a difference in opinion depending on location.  

Absolutely! Even when you register and post comments, your anonymity is protected because you are identified by your chosen screen name.  

Yes! Your privacy is absolutely protected, and the city will only use your email to contact you with updates. Your email address will not be distributed to any third party or used for any other purpose. We do not ask for your personal details or require them at any time as part of your participation. For more information, see the Privacy Policy.

All public comments are moderated 24 hours a day seven days a week, for inappropriate language, comments that disrespect other participants, and for comments that are off topic.

All moderation is carried out by Bang the Table and all moderation is independent of the City of Tarpon Springs. The moderators do not edit or alter any comments and will only remove comments deemed to be significantly off topic, offensive or malicious, in which case they are removed from the site immediately and the person who posted the comment is advised by email. See the moderation policy for more information.