Pictured above: ICMA Executive Director/CEO Marc Ott and Polco CEO Nick Matronardi
The Voice of the People Awards celebrate communities that excel at turning resident feedback into action.
Each year, ICMA and Polco present The Voice of The People Awards to local governments that demonstrate excellence in community engagement. The VOP awards are the only accolade given to communities based on the opinions of those who matter most—residents.
The unveiling took place at the 2022 ICMA conference in Columbus, Ohio. Many of the winners demonstrate excellence (high scoring) or transformation (cities that improved over time) based on results from The National Community Survey® (The NCS®). The assessment measures resident opinions toward quality of life in their community. Others illustrate excellence in online engagement. Winners were then selected by a panel of judges based on how well the cities showcased their efforts in various categories.
ICMA Executive Director/CEO Marc Ott presented the award to attendees at the conference. Polco Director of National Engagement, Damema Mann, and Executive Manager, Bert Kane, stood in for communities that couldn't attend.
“All of the winners have made their communities better places to live as a result of resident engagement,” said Angelica Wedell, Director of Marketing and Communications for Polco. “It’s inspiring to see these organizations listening to resident voices and acting on their feedback.”
Polco is proud to announce this year’s winners.
Excellence Winners
Scottsdale, Arizona: Excellence in Economy
Polco Director of National Engagement Damema Mann and Executive Manager Robert Kane presenting the award for winners who were not present at the 2022 ICMA conference.
Orland Park, Illinois: Excellence in Education, Arts, and Culture
![VOPWinner2022_OrlandParkIL](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_OrlandParkIL.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_OrlandParkIL.jpg)
Davidson, North Carolina: Excellence in Equity
and Inclusion and Engagement
![VOPWinner2022_DavidsonNC](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_DavidsonNC.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_DavidsonNC.jpg)
Skokie, Illinois: Excellence in Mobility
![VOPWinner2022_SkokieIL](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_SkokieIL.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_SkokieIL.jpg)
Schaumburg, Illinois: Excellence in Health and Wellness
![VOPWinner2022_SchaumburgIL](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_SchaumburgIL.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_SchaumburgIL.jpg)
Coronado, California: Excellence in Natural Environment
and Parks and Rec
![VOPWinner2022_EaganMN](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_EaganMN.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_EaganMN.jpg)
Eagan, Minnesota: Excellence in Online Outreach
![VOPWinner2022_CoronadoCA](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_CoronadoCA.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_CoronadoCA.jpg)
Papillion, Nebraska: Excellence in Safety
![VOPWinner2022_Nebraska](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_Nebraska.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_Nebraska.jpg)
Cedar Park, Texas: Excellence in Utilities
![VOPWinner2022_CedarParkTX](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_CedarParkTX.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_CedarParkTX.jpg)
Transformation Winners
Cape Coral, Florida: Transformation in Economy
![VOPWinner2022_CapeCoralFL](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_CapeCoralFL.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_CapeCoralFL.jpg)
Surprise, Arizona: Transformation in Education, Arts and Culture
![VOPWinner2022_SurpriseAZ](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_SurpriseAZ.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_SurpriseAZ.jpg)
Buffalo Grove, Illinois: Transformation in Equity and Inclusion
and Engagement
![VOPWinner2022_VillageGroveIL](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_VillageGroveIL.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_VillageGroveIL.jpg)
Fate, Texas: Transformation in Health and Wellness
![VOPWinner2022_FateTX](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_FateTX.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_FateTX.jpg)
Cape Coral, Florida: Transformation in Mobility
![VOPWinner2022_CapeCoralFL](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_CapeCoralFL.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_CapeCoralFL.jpg)
Estes Park, Colorado: Transformation in Natural Environment
and Parks and Rec
![VOPWinner2022_EstesParkCO](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_EstesParkCO.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_EstesParkCO.jpg)
Shakopee, Minnesota: Transformation in Safety
![VOPWinner2022ShakopeeMN](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022ShakopeeMN.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022ShakopeeMN.jpg)
Davidson, North Carolina: Transformation in Utilities
![VOPWinner2022_DavidsonNC2](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_DavidsonNC2.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_DavidsonNC2.jpg)
Finalists
Gunnison County, Colorado: Transformation in Mobility
![VOPWinner2022_GunnisonCountyCO](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_GunnisonCountyCO.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_GunnisonCountyCO.jpg)
Eden Prairie, Minnesota: Excellence in Online Outreach
![VOPWinner2022_EdenPrairieMN](https://blog.polco.us/hs-fs/hubfs/VOPWinner2022_EdenPrairieMN.jpg?width=800&height=532&name=VOPWinner2022_EdenPrairieMN.jpg)