In 2025, the City of Milton, Georgia earned national recognition as a Polco Best in Governance Award winner in the Transformation category for Trust in Government, announced at the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference. This prestigious honor, also known as a Voice of the People Award, is based on results from the National Community Survey (NCS) and reflects the perspectives of residents themselves.
The Transformation award recognizes communities that demonstrate not only strong performance, but meaningful improvement over time in how residents perceive transparency, fairness, and responsiveness. Milton’s recognition highlights years of intentional effort to strengthen the relationship between local government and the community it serves.
According to the NCS report, Milton did not only score higher than the nation on nearly all trust measures, but made meaningful gains since its previous survey in 2022.
These improvements place Milton among the top communities nationally for several trust-related measures, demonstrating both high performance and an impressive trajectory of progress. The results speak to deliberate efforts by city leadership to prioritize clear communication, expand resident engagement, and uphold ethical, inclusive governance.
Milton’s leaders credit both city staff and residents for the progress reflected in the data.
“I am incredibly proud of the men and women who serve our community and grateful for the residents who partner with us to make Milton the best it can be,” said Mayor Peyton Jamison. “Trust is built through consistency and collaboration, and this recognition shows that Milton continues to set a national example of how local government and community can work hand in hand.”
City Manager Steve Krokoff emphasized that trust is foundational to the city’s work.
“This award represents the trust and confidence our residents place in us, which is the foundation of everything we do,” Krokoff said. “It reflects years of steady, intentional work by our entire organization under the leadership of our Mayor and City Council. Their commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsive governance sets the tone for everything we do. The fact that our residents continue to express growing confidence in their local government is both humbling and motivating. We see it as a responsibility to keep earning that trust every single day.”
Milton is a city of roughly 41,000 residents located in northern Fulton County, Georgia — often recognized for its scenic beauty, equestrian culture, and small-town charm. With one of the highest median household incomes in the state and a reputation for thoughtful development, Milton continues to blend high quality of life with smart, resident-focused governance.
In addition to being named a National Champion for Trust in Government (Transformation), Milton was also recognized as a Top Performer, one of five finalists, in several other Best in Governance Award categories:
Milton’s journey demonstrates that trust is not assumed. It is earned. And with intentional leadership and meaningful resident partnership, it can continue to grow.