ICMA’s Local Government Excellence 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. The Community Sustainability Awards are one of four program excellence categories awarded each year. Community Sustainability awards recognize innovative programs or processes that creatively balance a community’s social, economic, environmental and cultural needs. Two Community Sustainability Awards were conferred in 2016.

 

Clarkdale, Arizona, received the award for its Centennial Plaza - A Demonstration of Water Sustainability. The challenge was to develop a beautifully landscaped permaculture garden using native and adaptive plants that would use little to no potable water on maturity to educate residents on water issues. One of the the lessons learned was that the systems need tweaking. The rainwater collection system in the initial project design overwatered the gardens; the addition of rain sensors allowed for greater control. Another lesson was that as some of the flowering perennials have died over time, public works replaced them with agave and other native cactus, leaving the garden less colorful. As plants are replaced in the future, plans are to add back more of the perennials. For the rest of the story, see page 15 of the 2016 Awards Booklet.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada, received a Community Sustainability Award for the city’s Sustainability Program. The challenge in this community was to make sustainability integral to city government operations and functions. What did they learn? Measurement and tracking of goals and targets is essential; discuss what’s required with all critical stakeholders to make real and lasting change; and employees at every level of the organization must understand and embrace sustainability. To learn more about this program, see page 16 of the 2016 Awards Booklet.

Looking Ahead to 2017 

Each year, ICMA confers awards in four program and five professional excellence categories. Nominations will be accepted beginning in early January for the 2017 program and awards will be conferred during ICMA’s 103rd Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, October 22-25, 2017. Direct questions to Felicia Littky, awards program manager at flittky@icma.org or 202/962-3656.