Each year, Polco is proud to celebrate local governments with the Best in Governance Awards — the nation's only awards program honoring communities for both resident experience and measurable outcomes. These awards shine a light on the jurisdictions that stand out as the most effective, innovative, and community-centered across the country, as measured through national data.
Most of our awards recognize how residents rate their communities. The Resident Engagement awards recognize the work that makes great ratings possible: listening. In this first of two features, we're spotlighting the organizations that reach out — inviting residents into the conversation and putting their input to work.
The best decisions are made with residents, not just for them. When local leaders reach out regularly — on everything from a new park design to long-term community priorities — residents see that their input matters. That builds trust, brings new voices into the conversation, and leads to decisions that better reflect the whole community.
These Voice of the People awards celebrate local governments that made connecting with residents a habit over the past year. Their staff took the initiative to create their own surveys and polls, ask timely questions, and get them in front of residents — turning everyday feedback into better decisions.
The organizations recognized as Top Performers represent the very best in listening to the people they serve and putting that input to work. The National Champions in each category will be announced in October.
Congratulations to all of this year's Top Performers. We're honored to showcase your leadership in building stronger, smarter, and more connected communities. Visit our awards page for more information about Polco's Best in Governance Awards.