During the week of Aug. 1, the city of Austin — as a part of the League of Minnesota Cities — will sponsor four community discussions to talk about the future of the community.

Austin was picked as one of 10 communities throughout the state to bring Minnesotans together to talk about services they expect, how those services should be delivered and how those services should be paid for.

The 90-minute conversations will be facilitated by the League of Minnesota Cities and hosted by Mower County Senior Center, Riverland Community College, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and KSMQ-TV. The public is invited and encouraged to attend but space is limited so RSVPs are requested.

The League of Minnesota Cities will provide a report to the city of Austin on what its citizens are saying, and a full state report will be available in fall 2012. City officials say the project will provide a foundation for new, more sustainable policy solutions for Minnesota’s communities.

League of Minnesota Cities Community Conversations is co-sponsored by the city of Austin and Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, KSMQ-TV, Mower County Senior Center, Riverland Community College

First session

•Noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Mower County Senior Center.

Host: Senior Center. Lunch will be provided.

Topic: What services should cities provide?

RSVP to Sara Schafer at the Senior Center: saras@mcs-inc.org or call 433-2370, ext 3

Second session

•7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Riverland Community College in the west campus cafeteria.

Host: Riverland. Refreshments will be served.

Topic: What do you think can change about how city services are delivered?

RSVP to Judy Enright at Riverland: judy.enright@riverland.edu or call 433-0636

Third session

•Noon–1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center Ruby Rupner Auditorium. Hosted by Chamber of Commerce. Lunch will be provided.

Topic: How should we pay for city services?

RSVP to the Austin Chamber of Commerce: admin@austincoc.com or call 437-4561

Final session

7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Mower County Senior Center.

Host: KSMQ-TV. Refreshments will be served.

Topic: What kind of future do we want for our cities?

RSVP to Danica Olson at KSMQ: dolson@ksmq.org or call 433-0638

KSMQ-TV will tape this session and segments will be aired at a later date.