Awards

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International City/County Management Association, Certificate of Excellence

2016 ICMA Certificate of Excellence​ (PDF)

ICMA Excellence Award 2015.pngThe International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is pleased to announce that Phoenix, Arizona, is being recognized for its performance management efforts with a Certificate of Excellence from the ICMA Center for Performance Analytics™. 

ICMA performance measurement is a year-round process, managed by the Budget and Research Department, involving the collection of performance data from cities and counties across the country.  ICMA awards Certificates of Excellence to those jurisdictions demonstrating success in utilizing and improving performance measures.

“The certificate program recognizes communities that have demonstrated leadership in continuous improvement and community engagement using performance analysis,” said ICMA Executive Director Robert J. O’Neill, Jr. “Performance analysis is an integral component of professional local government management, and jurisdictions meeting the certificate qualifications serve as examples for other governments to follow.”

ICMA assesses a local government's performance management program and encourages analysis of results by comparing to peers and gauging performance over time. Performance management aids in cost reduction, program prioritization, and quality improvement. It also encourages accountability and transparency.  Of the 52 jurisdictions honored overall, Phoenix is among 34 jurisdictions receiving the Certificate of Excellence – the highest level awarded.

Criteria for the Certificate of Excellence include:

  • Reporting of performance data to the public through budgets, newsletters, and/or information provided to elected officials
  • Data verification efforts to ensure data reliability
  • Staff training
  • Use of performance data in strategic planning and operational decision-making
  • Sharing of performance measurement knowledge with other local governments through presentations, site visits, and other networking
  • Commitment to tracking and reporting to the public key outcomes
  • Surveying of the both residents and local government employees
  • Effective and timely reporting.  
​​Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA​), Distinguished Budget Presentation Award​(PDF)

​The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the city of Phoenix for its current annual budget.  This is the 26th consecutive award for Phoenix.   The award reflects the commitment of the city to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.  In order to receive the award, the city had to satisfy nationally-recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.  It was presented after a panel of reviewers from across the country evaluated the document in four major categories: policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device.  Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories.  This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. 
2013 Sunshine Award

The nationally-known Sunshine Review organization recognized Phoenix with a 2013 Sunny Award, for exceeding transparency standards with phoenix.gov content.  Phoenix has won a Sunny award for the fourth consecutive year.  The group's transparency checklist includes online disclosure of items like budget reports, elected official information, public meeting agendas and minutes, and contracts and public records.

​Curious about other city awards and recognition?

The city has won many other awards and honors.  Learn about other City awards and how the community rates city services.