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by Andrea Bolivar on October 9, 2024
See which local governments nationwide are taking home 2024 Voice of the People Awards, presented by Polco and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
The 16th annual Voice of the People (VOP) Awards highlight local governments' vital role in shaping thriving, resident-centered communities. The VOP Awards are the only national honors recognizing local governments based on community data and resident feedback.
Polco presents these prestigious awards in partnership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
“In an era of profound transition, these organizations are crafting the blueprint for a better democracy," said Nick Mastronardi, CEO of Polco. “We are thrilled to acknowledge the dedication of these well-deserving communities and celebrate their hard work.”
This year’s winners represent local governments that have excelled in responding to the needs of their residents. Through data-informed strategic planning and community engagement, these organizations have made significant strides in budget management, community design, safety, and beyond.
Here’s a closer look at each recipient jurisdiction and their award categories.
Congratulations to the 2024 Voice of the People Awards Winners and Finalists!
Bloomington, Minnesota: Winner for Transformation in Health & Wellness
Broomfield, Colorado: Winner for Excellence in Government Performance for Utilities
Coral Gables, Florida: Winner for Excellence in Online Outreach
Corvallis, Oregon: Finalist for Excellence in Mobility
Flower Mound, Texas: Winner for Excellence in Safety; Excellence in Utilities
Gulf Breeze, Florida: Winner for Excellence in Parks & Recreation; Excellence in Trust in Government
Gunnison County, Colorado: Winner for Excellence in Mobility
Independence City, Iowa: Winner for Transformation in Trust in Government
LA Metro: Winner for Excellence in Budget & Finance
Marion, Iowa: Winner for Excellence in Community Design; Transformation in Community Design; Transformation in Mobility; Transformation in Natural Environment; Transformation in Parks & Recreation
Richmond Heights, Missouri: Winner for Excellence in Health & Wellness
Rock Hill, South Carolina: Winner for Transformation in Education, Arts, & Culture; Transformation in Utilities
Roseville, California: Winner for Excellence in Economy
Saratoga, California: Winner for Excellence in Government Performance for Health & Wellness
Scottsdale, Arizona: Winner for Excellence in Online Engagement
Shakopee, Minnesota: Finalist for Excellence in Budget & Finance
Woodinville, Washington: Winner for Transformation in Safety
See the full 2024 Voice of the People Awards album here!
Eligibility for the Voice of the People Awards
The VOP Awards are highly competitive, and winners are selected from well over 100 participating jurisdictions each year. Cities are nominated based on nationwide benchmark data and the use of best practices in online community engagement. Most jurisdictions are nominated based on strong results from The National Community Survey (The NCS).
Other nominees demonstrated the most exemplary approaches to resident-centered governance using Polco’s engagement tools or Balancing Act simulations. New in 2024, cities were nominated for high-performance scores derived from the Government Performance Action and Learning nationwide database. (Jurisdictions do not have to work with Polco in order to be nominated for a VOP Award in a Government Performance category.)
Nominated jurisdictions apply to become winners by showing how they incorporate community input and data into decisions and initiatives. A panel of judges then selects the award winners and finalists.
“Award-winning jurisdictions are focusing on resident needs more than ever. They take innovation and community livability to new heights, even despite the challenges from recent years,” said Angelica Wedell, Communications Director for Polco and a VOP judge for nearly ten years. “Congratulations to each and every one of the 2024 Voice of the People Awards recipients!”
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