Enter the 2013 Municipal Excellence Awards!
Now in their 23rd year, AWC’s Municipal Excellence Awards recognize innovative projects that significantly improve the quality of life for citizens, establish partnerships, and build community support. The competition applauds a community’s achievement and encourages other cities to develop similar programs.
Winners are honored at AWC’s annual conference in June and entries are featured throughout the year on AWC’s website and in Cityvision magazine.
Apply now
The competition is open to any Washington city or town. Entries are submitted by category; each category has one winner. Entries can either be electronic or mailed. A completed entry must include:
- Municipal Excellence entry form
- Project statement (approximately 50 word explanation of project)
- Project summary. Take a look at the helpful hints listed below for items that will be considered during the competition judging. *Most applications are 1 – 3 pages.
- You may also include photos or other materials that support your entry. Materials will only be returned upon request.
Entry deadline is April 29, 2013. Email your entry to muniexawards@awcnet.org. Materials can also be mailed to AWC, 1076 Franklin St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501.
Questions? Call Michelle Harvey at AWC, 360-753-4137 or michelleh@awcnet.org.
Award categories
Consider entering any project or program that benefited your community or municipal employees within the past two years. No limit on entries per city; however, you must choose only one category per entry.
Building partnerships
How has your city worked collaboratively with partners in the community, or even within city hall, on proactive solutions to today’s challenges. What good things happened when you partnered?
Community engagement
Award applications in this category should focus on working with community organizations and citizens to educate and/or build ongoing relationships that benefit your city. What strategies did you use and what results did you see?
Going green
Share ways your city does its part to help the environment, reduce energy use and/or address pollution. Projects to consider: designing green buildings, compost and recycling programs, using renewable energy sources, efficient street lamps and traffic signals, green roofs, alternative transportation incentives, bike programs.
Innovative cost savings
Cost savings, especially when driven by innovation, can transform your city’s mindset and create a dynamic city hall culture. What did you do to embrace this challenge? This category could get wild and woolly – the sky’s the limit when it comes to innovation.
Public works
Award applications can include a variety of public works projects, such as: 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 7,500. Any type of projects can be entered into this category. What makes your small city outstanding?
Helpful hints
Judges will be looking for these elements in your entry:
- Did you clearly explain all aspects of the program?
- How well did the program achieve its goals? Be sure to clearly state your objectives and accomplishments.
- How well did you use your resources? Talk about your budget, any grants you received, and don’t forget any person-power behind your project.
- What is the program’s current and long term value to the community? Did your program have community support?
- Can other cities or towns learn from your program and adapt your ideas to their community?
Learn more about the 2012 Municipal Excellence Award winners:
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