The 2017 Voice of the People Awards Winners and Finalists

-By Angelica Wedell-

National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) is proud to announce the 2017 Voice of the People (VOP) Awards winners and finalists!  These awards are only given to top performing jurisdictions that best listen and act for the benefit their communities.

The Voice of the People Awards stand alone as the only award given in local government based on community opinion.  Residents in winning cities and towns either reported the highest or most improved levels of satisfaction compared with all other jurisdictions that participated in The National Citizen Survey^™ (The NCS^™).

“This was one of the most competitive years for the VOP Awards I’ve ever seen,” said NRC Senior Survey Associate Damema Mann.  “This year’s award recipients showed real commitment to best practices, innovation and bettering quality of life for their residents.”  Mann has conducted hundreds of iterations of The NCS for more than a decade.

2017 Voice of the People Awards Recipients Map

The National Citizen Survey reports resident opinion and satisfaction with local government and services with a scientific, representative sample approach.  Results are then used to inform budgeting, performance measurement and program planning.

The perspectives of the residents themselves determine VOP Awards nominees for the very best of Community Engagement, Safety, Mobility, Foundations of Livability, Recreation and Wellness, Education and Enrichment, Natural Environment, Built Environment and Economy.  NRC judges then review applications submitted by nominated jurisdictions to determine the winners and finalists.

The ninth annual Voice of the People Awards were presented by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and National Research Center, Inc. at the 103^rd Annual ICMA conference in San Antonio, TX.

Congratulations to the 2017 Voice of the People Awards Recipients!

Pictured: NRC's Damema Mann presenting the VOP Awards to the Winners and Finalists at the 103rd Annual ICMA Conference.

Bettendorf, IA.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Safety.

Boulder, CO.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Recreation and Wellness.

Bowling Green, KY.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Built Environment.

Brookline, MA.  VOP Award Finalist for Excellence in Mobility.

Cannon Beach, OR.  VOP Award Finalist for Excellence in Natural Environment.

 Chanhassen, MN.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Mobility.

Clive, IA.  VOP Award Finalist for Excellence in Built Environment.

Decatur, GA.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Community Engagement.

 Eagan, MN.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Safety.

Franklin, TN.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Education and Enrichment.

Henderson, NV.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Natural Environment.

Highland Park, IL.  VOP Award Finalist for Excellence in Recreation and Wellness.

La Vista, NE.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Education and Enrichment.

Marysville, WA.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Mobility and Economy.

O’Fallon, IL.  VOP Award Finalist for Transformation in Recreation and Wellness.

Paducah, KY.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Recreation and Wellness.

Paradise Valley, AZ.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Foundations of Livability.

Pearland, TX.  VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Community Engagement.

Scottsdale, AZ.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Economy.

St. Charles, IL.  VOP Award Finalist for Excellence in Recreation and Wellness.

Urbandale, IA.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Built Environment.

Yountville, CA.  VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Natural Environment.

See the entire 2017 VOP Awards photo album on Flickr.

Featured Image: VOP Awards winners and finalists present at the 103rd Annual ICMA Conference with ICMA Executive Director Marc Ott.

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