Polco

10/15/2026

Celebrating the Local Governments Where Public Servants Thrive 👥

Today, we're proud to introduce a brand-new category in Polco's Best in Governance Awards: Organizational Culture! Great public service starts with the people who deliver it. The new Voice of Employees award — based on The National Employee Survey (The NES®) — recognizes the local government organizations whose employees feel most supported, engaged, and valued.

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04Bjcxw0
➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04BjdWZ0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

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

Thank you to all the local governments building workplaces where public servants thrive — and where residents feel the difference. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

Discover the top local government workplaces of 2026, highlighting organizations with exceptional employee culture and community services that make a difference.

10/13/2026

Celebrating the Communities Where Shared Decisions Thrive ⚖️

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the second of our two Resident Engagement features! These organizations go beyond asking residents what they want — they invite them to work through the same trade-offs leaders face, through interactive budget simulations and prioritization exercises.

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04z_Zrx0

➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04z_ZgP0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Voice of the People: Priorities in Action
- Frederick County, Maryland
- City of San Marcos, Texas
- City of Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Voice of the People: Schools of Thought (Prioritize)
- Albemarle County Public Schools, Virginia
- Denver Public Schools, Colorado
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, Alaska

Voice of the People: Schools of Thought (Simulation)
- Anchorage School District, Alaska
- Battle Ground Public Schools, Washington
- Petersburg School District, Alaska

Voice of the People: Trust Through Transparency
- City of Lawrence, Kansas
- Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, California
- Sedgwick County, Kansas

Thank you to all the local governments and school districts trusting residents with the hard choices — and building stronger budgets and plans because of it. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

10/08/2026

Celebrating the Communities Where Every Voice Counts 🗣️

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the first of our two Resident Engagement features! The best decisions are made with residents, not just for them. These organizations made listening a habit — creating their own surveys and polls, asking timely questions, and turning everyday feedback into better decisions.

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04zDvKt0

➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04zDvSS0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Voice of the People: Civic Catalyst
- City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota
- City of Rochester, Minnesota
- City of San Marcos, Texas

Voice of the People: Community Reach
- City of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
- City of Coral Gables, Florida
- Town of Needham, Massachusetts

Voice of the People: Power of Engagement
- City of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
- City of Coral Gables, Florida
- Town of Needham, Massachusetts

Thank you to all the local governments listening to the people they serve — and building stronger communities because of it. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

10/07/2026

Celebrating the Communities That Keep Daily Life Running ⚡

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the Utilities category of Polco's Best in Governance Awards! From clean drinking water to steady electricity and dependable internet, these communities excel at maintaining the essential services that power daily life — while preparing for a smarter, more resilient future. They earned top marks on measurable public-data outcomes (Community Impact) and the highest or most-improved resident ratings (Voice of the People).

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04zwlkP0
➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04zwn8N0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Community Impact: Excellence
- City of Broomfield, Colorado
- City of Falls Church, Virginia
- City of Trussville, Alabama

Voice of the People: Excellence
- City of Clive, Iowa
- Town of Davidson, North Carolina
- Town of Estes Park, Colorado
- City of Naperville, Illinois
- City of Suwanee, Georgia

Voice of the People: Transformation
- Town of Johnstown, Colorado
- City of Kearney, Missouri
- City of Redlands, California
- City of San Marcos, Texas
- City of Suwanee, Georgia

Thank you to all the local governments and utility teams keeping the water flowing, the lights on, and communities connected. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

10/06/2026

Celebrating the Communities Keeping Residents Safe 🛡️

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the Safety category of Polco's Best in Governance Awards! From the feeling of security in a neighborhood to the confidence that first responders will be there when needed, these communities excel at keeping residents safe, preventing harm, and building resilience. They earned top marks on measurable public-data outcomes (Community Impact) and the highest or most-improved resident ratings (Voice of the People).

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04zhGNc0

➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04zhGPy0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Community Impact: Excellence
- Cusseta-Chattahoochee County, Georgia
- City of Muskego, Wisconsin
- Village of Southampton, New York

Voice of the People: Excellence
- City of Coral Gables, Florida
- Town of Davidson, North Carolina
- City of Naperville, Illinois
- Town of Needham, Massachusetts
- City of Suwanee, Georgia

Voice of the People: Transformation
- City of El Cerrito, California
- City of Englewood, Colorado
- City of Mountlake Terrace, Washington
- City of Santa Cruz, California
- City of Wichita, Kansas

Thank you to all the local governments and first responders working every day to keep residents safe and communities prepared. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

10/05/2026

Does your community's strategic plan guide daily decisions, or does it sit on a shelf?

Our latest webinar recap covers how local governments can ground plans in data, include resident voices, and set measurable targets.

Watch the recording and read the takeaways:

Discover how local governments can create effective strategic plans that drive community progress by grounding decisions in data, engaging stakeholders, and measuring outcomes.

10/01/2026

Celebrating the Communities Where Parks & Recreation Come Alive 🌳

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the Parks & Recreation category of Polco's Best in Governance Awards! From the trails where residents find peace to the fields where kids play and the community centers where people connect, these communities create public spaces that foster wellness, belonging, and joy for all. They earned top marks on measurable public-data outcomes (Community Impact) and the highest or most-improved resident ratings (Voice of the People).

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04yWLqF0

➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04yWL870

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Community Impact: Excellence
- Fairfax County, Virginia
- Town of Hillsborough, California
- City of Mercer Island, Washington

Voice of the People: Excellence
- City of Durango, Colorado
- City of Golden, Colorado
- City of Gulf Breeze, Florida
- City of Shoreview, Minnesota
- City of Suwanee, Georgia

Voice of the People: Transformation
- City of Bozeman, Montana
- City of Collinsville, Illinois
- City of La Vista, Nebraska
- City of San Marcos, Texas
- City of South Lake Tahoe, California

Thank you to all the local governments investing in the parks, trails, fields, and gathering places that bring communities together. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

09/30/2026

Celebrating the Communities Protecting Our Natural World 🌲

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the Natural Environment category of Polco's Best in Governance Awards! From clean air and safe water to preserved open spaces and resilient landscapes, these communities are protecting and enhancing the natural world that daily life depends on. They earned top marks on measurable public-data outcomes (Community Impact) and the highest or most-improved resident ratings (Voice of the People).

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04yJCwg0

➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04yJCRQ0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Community Impact: Excellence
- City of Bellingham, Washington - Government
- Houghton County, Michigan
- City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska

Voice of the People: Excellence
- City of Golden, Colorado - Municipal Government
- City of Gulf Breeze, Florida
- Town of Jupiter - Government, Florida
- City of Shoreview, MN (Local Government)
- Town of Telluride CO - Government, Colorado

Voice of the People: Transformation
- City of Bozeman, Montana
- Gunnison County, CO Government, Colorado
- Shakopee, MN City Government
- City of South Lake Tahoe, California
- City of Staunton, Virginia

Thank you to all the local governments working to protect clean air and water, preserve open space, and build a more resilient, sustainable future. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.

09/29/2026

Last call. We go live tomorrow.

Join our free webinar, The State of Us: Assessing Community Strengths, Needs, and Priorities, for a practical approach to identify assets and gaps, set shared priorities, and turn insights into action.

Wednesday, September 30, 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern.

Can't attend live? Register anyway and get the recording: https://hubs.li/Q04yzzj60

09/29/2026

Celebrating the Communities Where Getting Around Just Works 🚌

Today, we're proud to share the 2026 Top Performers in the Mobility category of Polco's Best in Governance Awards! Great mobility isn't just about keeping cars moving — it's about giving people choices: a smooth bus commute, a safe bike lane, walkable sidewalks, and carpools that bring neighbors together. These communities earned top marks on measurable public-data outcomes (Community Impact) and the highest or most-improved resident ratings (Voice of the People).

➡️ Read more about the winners and what makes them stand out: https://hubs.li/Q04yzqhg0
➡️ For full details on the Best in Governance Awards: https://hubs.li/Q04yzqgD0

A huge congratulations to these Top Performers:

Community Impact: Excellence
- City of Champaign - Municipal Government, Illinois
- Urbana, Illinois - City Government
- City of West Lake Hills, Texas

Voice of the People: Excellence
- Gunnison County, CO Government
- City of Mountlake Terrace, Washington
- City of Shoreview, MN (Local Government)
- Town of Telluride CO - Government
- Wilsonville - Local Government, Oregon

Voice of the People: Transformation
- City of Durango, Colorado
- Town of Estes Park Colorado
- City of Kearney, MO
- City of Plymouth, MN - Local Government
- City of Redwood City, California

Thank you to all the local governments working to make getting around safer, easier, and more connected for everyone. You raise the bar for what good governance can look like.