Polco News & Knowledge

Announcing the 2019 Voice of the People Awards Winners and Finalists

Written by NRC | November 19, 2019

-By Angelica Wedell-

National Research Center (NRC) / Polco and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) proudly announce the winners and finalists of the 2019 Voice of the People (VOP) Awards!

Only top performing jurisdictions that best listen and act to benefit their communities receive these awards. The VOP Awards are based on responses from The National Community Survey™ (The NCS™), which features the largest public opinion benchmark database of its kind. Residents in winning communities reported the highest levels of satisfaction or improvement, compared with all other jurisdictions that participated in 2018.

New in 2019, communities that demonstrated the best use of Polco's online civic engagement platform were also recognized.

“These local governments are truly doing great things for their communities. They are improving every-day life for their residents,” said Damema Mann, Director of National Engagement for NRC/Polco. 

The National Community Survey reports resident opinion and satisfaction with local government and services. Decision-makers then use results to inform budgeting, performance measurement and program planning. To date, the Voice of the People Awards are the only award given in local government based on community opinion. 

Resident perspectives determined 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. A panel of judges then named the ultimate winners and finalists for each award category.

“We are honored to recognize the award winners and finalists on a national stage,” said Nick Mastronardi, CEO of Polco/NRC. “These communities are setting the standard in using public input data to deliver quality of life improvements, as well as building trust between residents and their local governments.” 

Polco/NRC CEO Nick Mastronardi, Director of National Engagement Damema Mann, and ICMA CEO Marc Ott presented the 2019 Voice of the People Awards at the Annual ICMA Conference in Nashville, TN.

 

Congratulations to the 2019 Voice of the People Awards Winners and Finalists!

 

Albert Lea, MN: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Mobility

 

Avondale, AZ: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Recreation and Wellness

 

Bar Harbor, ME: 2019 VOP Award Finalist for Online Community Engagement

 

Battle Creek, MI: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Natural Environment

 

Bettendorf, IA: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Mobility

 

Boulder, CO: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Natural Environment

 

Clive, IA: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Built Environment

 

Coronado, CA: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Foundations

 

Decatur, GA: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Community Engagement

 

Eagan, MN: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Safety

 

Estes, Park CO: 2019 VOP Award Finalist for Transformation in Recreation and Wellness

 

Lakeville, MN: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Economy

 

Morristown, TN: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Built Environment

 

Oshkosh, WI: 2019 VOP Award Finalist for Excellence in Online Community Engagement

 

Port St. Lucie, FL: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Foundations

 

Richmond Heights, MO: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Education and Enrichment

 

Rochester, MN: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Online Community Engagement

 

Scottsdale, AZ: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Economy

 

Skokie, IL: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Safety

 

Vienna, VA: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Excellence in Recreation and Wellness, and Excellence in Education and Enrichment

 

Wichita, KS: 2019 VOP Award Winner for Transformation in Community Engagement

 

See Our 2019 Voice of the People Awards and ICMA Conference Photo Album

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