Enter the 2012 Municipal Excellence Awards!

Now in their 22nd year, the Excellence Awards recognizes innovative municipal projects that significantly improve the quality of life for citizens, establish partnerships, and build community support. The Municipal Excellence Awards are a showcase of all the great things happening in Washington State. It goes beyond the annual conference in June and serves as a reference for AWC all year-round including in the Cityvision magazine.

The Municipal Excellence Awards are presented to cities that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in promoting community excellence. The competition recognizes a community’s achievement and encourages other cities to develop similar programs.

Apply now

The competition is open to any Washington city or town. Categories are by subject and will have one winner in each category. Entries can either be electronic or mailed. A completed entry needs to have:

• Application form
  • Word
  • PDF
• Project statement (approximately 50 word explanation of project)
• Project summary
• At least three pictures depicting the project (can be emailed)
• Any supplemental documentation. Materials will be kept at AWC to serve as reference. Will only be returned upon request

Submit entries to Michelle Harvey at AWC by March 30, 2012. Materials will be kept at AWC to serve as reference. Will only be returned upon request.

The categories are:

Community Service
Economic Development
Hometown Spirit
Going Green
Public Safety
Public Works
Small City Successes

Award category descriptions

Consider entering any project or program that benefited your community or municipal employees within the past two years. Each city may submit up to two total entries, however only one entry per category.

Helpful hints

Keep these things in mind for the judges as you are preparing your entry.

• Did you clearly explain all aspects of the program?
• Is this program the first of its kind?
• Can other cities or towns learn from your program and benefit their community?
• How will did the program achieve its goals? Be sure to make the objectives and accomplishments clearly known.
• What is the program’s current and long term value to the community? Include how the community has and continues to support the program and if any partnerships were involved.
• How well did you use your resources? Talk about your budget, any grants you received, and don’t forget any man-power behind your project.

Learn more about the 2011 Municipal Excellence Award winners:

• Community Service – City of Prosser for their Prosser Boys and Girls Club
• Economic Development – City of Bothell for their Downtown Revitalization Project
• Hometown Spirit – City of Renton for their Renton FilmFrenzy
• Going Green – City of Puyallup for their Rain Garden Project
• Public Safety – City of Lakewood for their Community Safety Resource Team
• Public Works – City of Gig Harbor for their SR 16 / Burnham Drive NW Interchange and Roadway Improvements
• Small City Successes – City of Waitsburg for their Main Street Revitalization

AWC is proud of each of the cities that entered Municipal Excellence projects. It is that show of dedication and hard work that make Washington’s cities and towns so great.

Check out all the great city projects that have been entered over the years. Please use this as a resource for ideas and examples of projects that should be entered.

View all awards – includes project summary and contact information

If you have any questions, please contact Kate Cherrington, AWC’s Communications Specialist, at (360) 753-4137 or katec@awcnet.org.

Municipal Excellence Awards category descriptions

Community Service

Award applications in this category can include: youth development, family services, volunteerism, parks & recreation, partnerships, public outreach programs, cleaning and beautifying projects.

Economic Development

Award applications in this category can include: downtown revitalization, “smart” development, business retention, commercial development, new industry/ growth programs, housing, financial management.

Going Green

Think about ways your city does its part to help the environment, reduce energy use and reduce pollution. Projects to consider: building green buildings, compost and recycling programs, using renewable energy sources, efficient street lamps and traffic signals, green roofs, alternative transportation incentives, bike programs.

Hometown Spirit

This category is all about what brings your community together. Types of projects can include: community celebrations, citizen unity, tourism, local arts and performances.

Public Safety

Award applications can include: efforts to improve safety and security, law enforcement programs, fire and emergency response programs, domestic violence awareness, disaster response, neighborhood watch & neighborhood partnerships, school safety education programs.

Public Works

Award applications can include water restoration projects, wastewater treatment plants, street and road improvements, infrastructure, pedestrian and bike pathways.

Small City Successes

Cities and towns that enter need to have a population less than 5,000. Any type of projects can be entered into this category.