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.
This year, we're adding a new perspective: the voice of the people who serve those communities every day. Today, we're spotlighting a brand-new category — Organizational Culture.
About the Organizational Culture Category
Residents experience local government through its employees — the crew clearing streets before dawn, the clerk who answers the phone, the planner who walks a neighbor through a permit. When employees feel supported, connected to the mission, and equipped to do their jobs, it shows in the services residents receive. A strong workplace culture also helps local governments recruit and keep great people in a competitive hiring market.
The new Voice of Employees award for Organizational Culture is based on data from The National Employee Survey (The NES®), Polco's benchmarking survey for local government staff. Organizations were ranked on an overall index of employee ratings across six core areas:
- Community Quality and Governance
- Employee Development
- Employee Engagement
- Equity and Inclusion
- Essentials
- Culture
This award recognizes Excellence: the local government organizations whose employees gave the highest overall ratings nationwide.
2026 Top Performers: Organizational Culture
Voice of Employees — Excellence
- City of Cedar Park, Texas
- City of Elk Grove, California
- Marblehead Light District, Massachusetts
- City of River Falls, Wisconsin
- City of Vestavia Hills, Alabama
- Village of Weston, Wisconsin
What's Next
The organizations recognized as Top Performers represent the very best in building workplaces where public servants thrive — and where residents feel the difference. The National Champions in each category, including Organizational Culture, 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.
