ICMA is accepting nominations for its 2016 Local Government Excellence Awards through March 9, 2016. Winners for 2015 in the Community Health & Safety category are highlighted here.

Public Health Farmers Market

Receiving an award for its Public Health Farmers Market, Catawba County, North Carolina, has six USDA recognized food deserts (low-income areas where grocery stores are more than a mile away from residential areas and transportation is a barrier). Meanwhile, 38% of the children (ages 2-18) and 72% of its adults are overweight or obese. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program was offering vouchers through Catawba County Public Health (CCPH) for use in the Farmers Market Nutritional Program, enabling WIC customers to buy produce at markets certified to accept them. But only two of the county’s four markets were certified, and in 2012 the county’s voucher redemption rate was only 51%. 

CCPH established a farmers market in its parking lot to combat the lack of access to WIC-certified markets in the area. The market was opened to increase resident access to fresh produce. Start-up costs were minimal and were partially covered by a state grant. By 2013, the voucher redemption rate increased to 63%. In 2014, the CCPH market alone redeemed 57% of the vouchers, greater than both its 2013 rate and the county’s overall rate in 2012. Fresh produce consumption in the county increased to 88% in 2013 and 93% in 2014; for WIC customers, this number was even higher. WIC customers found it easier to redeem their vouchers, find fresh produce, and reduce travel time and distance. Farmers’ income from the program increased as well.

A safer Manly results from its crime prevention plan.

Crime Prevention Plan

Manly Local Government Area in New South Wales, Australia received the award for its Crime Prevention Plan. The plan began in 2011 in response to community feedback regarding the level of crime in the central business district (CBD).  Due to the high number of restaurants, bars, and hotels attracting young people from surrounding areas, the CBD had become a known hotspot for alcohol-related assaults and offensive conduct, particularly on the weekends. 

A three stage plan was implemented: 1) Get Home Safe campaign; 2) Community education and engagement; and 3) Engagement of stakeholders and reinforcement. Measurable results included significant drops in alcohol-related assaults per 100,000 population, stealing in licensed premises, and recorded incidents at secure taxi stands and bus stops.  Community perceptions of safety improved dramatically: in 2012 the council added “community safety” to its annual community satisfaction survey and by 2014 that score had risen markedly.

More information is available on both of these award-winning programs in the ICMA 2015 Awards Booklet.

About the Awards Program

ICMA’s Local Government Excellence Awards (formerly known as ICMA Annual Awards) honor creative contributions to professional local government management and increase public awareness of the value of professional management to the quality of life in our communities.

Each year, ICMA confers awards in four program and five professional excellence categories. Nominations are  being accepted through March 9 and will be conferred during ICMA’s 102nd Annual Conference in Kansas City; September 25-28, 2016. Direct questions to Felicia Littky, Awards Program manager a flittky@icma.org or 202/962-3656.