Announcing 2025 NACo Achievement Award Winners
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NACo is pleased to announce the winners for the 2025 Achievement Awards. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.
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Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.
NACo is pleased to announce the winners for the 2025 Achievement Awards. Explore the Best in Category winners below. For the full listing of this years winners, explore NACo's awards database here.
Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation
El Paso County, Texas
El Paso County Healing Garden
El Paso County Healing Garden is a living tribute to the 23 lives lost in the August 3, 2019 mass shooting—an act of domestic terrorism that targeted the region’s predominantly Hispanic community. Located at Ascarate Park, the County’s largest and most central public space, the garden offers a sanctuary for reflection, remembrance, and resilience. Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic with limited funding, the project was brought to life through in-house design, private donations, and community partnerships. It features a striking curved memorial wall, an Eternal Flame, and a mural painted by local artists, all rooted in the region’s cultural identity. The Healing Garden has become the focal point for annual remembrance events and was designated a National Memorial in 2022. This initiative exemplifies how local governments can preserve heritage and harness the power of public art to address trauma, foster unity, and improve quality of life.
Children and Youth
Miami-Dade County, Fla.
Zero Drownings Miami-Dade
The Zero Drownings Miami-Dade mission is to reduce drownings by helping children develop essential water competency skills and to educate them, their families, and the community on the importance of water safety. Working collaboratively with key community partners, the initiative develops, operates and funds a long-term, large-scale safety net for children (pre-school & kindergarten) by providing essential swim lesson and water safety education programs with the goal of reaching 20,000 children by 2027 and sustaining that level for future generations. A family and community engagement and education program is also an essential component of the collaborative to keep children safer in, on and around the water.
Civic Education and Public Information
Fulton County, Ind.
The Fulton County Assessor's Mobile Office
The purpose of the mobile office is to open the office to the taxpayers, after hours & on weekends, in various locations throughout the County for the purpose of education on property valuations, property tax exemptions and understanding the tax billing breakdown. The target audience is taxpayers whom commute and are unable to be in the County office during normal business hours or who's primary residence is out of state, but all taxpayers are welcome. The outcome is to ensure the taxpayers completely understand the entire cycle of valuation to payment. The goal not only is education but to decrease appeals on taxes. This is the third year and the program is successful.
Community and Economic Development
Baltimore County, Md.
Villages of Baltimore County
The Baltimore County Department of Aging launched the Villages of Baltimore County initiative to empower local communities to create volunteer-powered, community-led Villages. These Villages aim to strengthen neighborhoods and support older adults in aging safely and independently in their homes. Each Village is built on mutual support, connection, and a shared commitment to reducing social isolation and promoting a sense of belonging. The program serves older adults across diverse communities in Baltimore County, with services tailored to reflect the unique needs and cultures of each neighborhood. Offerings include transportation assistance, home maintenance, technology support, wellness checks, and social programs, all coordinated by local volunteers. By equipping residents with tools and structure to care for one another, the Villages of Baltimore County not only enhance quality of life for older adults but also create stronger, more connected communities. This model emphasizes local leadership, sustainability, and equity in aging.
County Administration and Management
DeKalb County, Ga.
The All-Digital DeKalb County Human Resources and Merit System Led Policy Council
DeKalb County’s Department of Human Resources and Merit System (DeKalb HR) reimagined its Policy Council in 2020 to better align HR operations, ensure consistency in policy application, and proactively support 45 departments through collaboration. Initially an in-person meeting with inconsistent attendance, the Council was transformed into a dynamic, all-digital engagement forum. The upgraded model—leveraging Zoom, chat-based Q&A, and real-time issue tracking—allowed each HR division the opportunity to identify and resolve emerging policy and compliance issues before they escalate. Through quarterly virtual sessions, the Council creates a shared space for 100+ HR liaisons and key stakeholders to clarify policy intent, raise department-specific concerns, “hot topics”, and participate in solution design. Participants include Directors, Deputy Directors, managers, and department administrators. The Council’s success is demonstrated by a 50% reduction in grievances, a 67% increase in participation, and a 50% improvement in FMLA processing efficiency for 6,600 employees.
County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability
Harris County, Texas
Protecting the Prairie: Armand Bayou Conservation Project
The Armand Bayou Conservation Project is a strategic effort to preserve and restore a former Exxon oil field into protected coastal prairie, wetland, and riparian habitat adjacent to the existing Armand Bayou Nature Center. Targeting conservation partners, local communities, and environmental stakeholders, the project aims to transform this historically industrial site into a thriving natural space. Outcomes include expanded habitat protection, enhanced biodiversity, and increased public access to green space in Harris County.
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Okeechobee County, Fla.
Okeechobee County Launching High School Heroes Into Public Safety Careers
Okeechobee County, in partnership with the Education Foundation of Okeechobee, coordinated a set of Public Safety Career Programs to address workforce shortages in fire rescue, dispatch, and law enforcement. These efforts include a state-certified Fire CTE Academy that provides industry-recognized certification, a 911 Dispatch CTE course with real-world simulation-based training, and a Public Safety Cadet Program that engages students in leadership, service, and emergency response. Together, these organizations created a replicable model for growing a sustainable, locally driven public safety talent pipeline in a rural community—one that has increased awareness of local career opportunities, strengthened recruitment and retention, and empowered students—including those from underserved backgrounds—to pursue employment, post-secondary certification, or advanced training in high-demand public safety fields.
Financial Management
Suffolk County, N.Y.
Suffolk County, NY and three+one’s Bank Account Collateralization Program
In partnership with Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine, Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. created the Bank Account Collateralization Program to ensure that bank-held County funds are properly and sufficiently collateralized in accordance with NYS General Municipal Law § 10. As Chief Financial Officer, it is Comptroller Kennedy’s sworn duty to protect the assets of Suffolk County and its over 1.5 million residents. The Bank Account Collateralization Program fosters enhanced transparency and safeguards the financial well-being of Suffolk County taxpayers, especially in today’s evolving regulatory and banking landscape.
Health
Pasquotank County, N.C.
EMS Tiered Response
In 2022, Pasquotank County developed a new EMS Tiered Response Program to ensure its emergency medical service care maintained its high quality. As a Paramedic shortage arose in 2021, followed by a general public safety technician shortage in 2022, Pasquotank County refocused its EMS delivery methods so that any EMS level ambulance could respond to calls and still have Paramedic support when needed. Instead of being placed on every ambulance, Paramedics were assigned to Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) and Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) was utilized to its fullest potential so that patients received the appropriate level of care on each and every call based on the chief complaint. The entire population served by Pasquotank County's EMS System was taken into consideration when forming the Tiered Response Program. After the project's implementation, Pasquotank County was able to provide more appropriately distributed care to the entire population.
Human Services
Montgomery County, Ohio
Reducing Substance Use and Overdoses Across the Continuum of Care
Montgomery County, Ohio is showing dedication to reducing incidences of substance use at every stage of the behavioral health continuum of care – from prevention to treatment. Montgomery County is known for its innovation and collaboration. This collaboration is exemplified with the creation of two programs – GOODLIFE and Her Story, both using the same framework to prevent substance use. GOODLIFE is an in-school, restorative practice program aimed at providing life, resiliency and social skills for youth to prevent first substance use. Her Story built on the success of this program, using the GOODLIFE framework to prevent relapse for pregnant women experiencing a substance use disorder. Both programs have greatly impacted the Montgomery County community, which saw a 40.3% decrease in overdose deaths between 2023 and 2024. Montgomery County ADAMHS is proud to fund and support the programs in becoming evidence-based, widely accepted models for substance use prevention.
Information Technology
San Bernardino County, Calif.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Evacuation Solution
From floods to fire, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) is tasked with ensuring the safety of residents during an evacuation. The SBCSD Evacuation solution is a suite of apps used by SBCSD to perform an evacuation operation and monitor the event in real time. The Evacuation solution begins with a mobile application that allows deputies to quickly document the outcome of an evacuation effort with the click of a button. Once collected, the evacuation points are displayed via a dashboard to Sheriff Incident Command staff. The interactive dashboard provides a live real-time view of the evacuation efforts as they are happening. The Sheriff’s Evacuation solution was used in 2024 for the Line and Bridge fire. The Sheriff’s Evacuation solution successfully provided SBCSD and all participating agencies with a live view of the evacuation process as it was happening for both events in real time.
Libraries
Orange County, Calif.
Nourishing Connections: How Food Literacy Fosters Stronger Communities
OC Public Libraries (OCPL) continually looks for ways to foster stronger communities and promote meaningful social connections. Food literacy offers a unique and engaging way to bring people together. Utilizing the Charlie Cart, a fully stocked kitchen on wheels, OCPL offers free hands-on immersive cooking experiences that blend food, literacy, and culture. With professional chefs leading interactive classes, participants of all ages learn cooking skills, explore new cuisines, and engage in meaningful social interactions. Events featuring renowned cookbook authors who emphasize the cultural and health benefits of food literacy and gives library staff an opportunity to connect with attendees about library services. These programs support not only culinary education but also improve literacy, foster community engagement, and contribute to individual and community well-being. By integrating food literacy into library services, OCPL helps build healthier, more connected communities.
Parks and Recreation
Riverside County, Calif.
RivCoParks: Veterans’ Mental Health
In response to the critical need for enhanced mental health support among veterans in Riverside County, as highlighted in the 2021 Southern California Veterans Study, RivCoParks has initiated targeted fishing programs, including the Veterans Fishing Derby’s along with free access to fishing and outdoor recreation through RivCoSalutes and W.A.I.V.E. Veteran Passes. These initiatives aim to combat veteran suicide and promote mental well-being by leveraging the mental health benefits of outdoor recreation by providing veterans with opportunities to engage in communal fishing activities, our veteran programing have proven to support social connection, reduce isolation, and support mental health recovery. These programs, with supporting data, illustrate a commitment to innovative, community-based solutions addressing the complex challenges faced by our veteran population.
Personnel Management, Employment and Training
Erie County, N.Y.
Workforce Buffalo Erie Corps
Erie Corps is a workforce development program for young adults launched in 2024. It is a collaboration between Erie County Department of Parks, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Erie 1 BOCES, Workforce Buffalo, and the Erie County Department of Social Services. Modeled after FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps, the program focuses on park maintenance, providing training and employment opportunities. The initiative has resulted in positive outcomes, with trainees receiving paid training, support services, and seasonal employment, leading to potential full-time positions.
Planning
Boulder County, Colo.
Improving Food Access and Health for Boulder Residents Through Municipal Comprehensive Planning
Collaboration between public health and planning departments is essential for comprehensive plans to promote community health and wellbeing. Boulder County Public Health’s (BCPH) Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) team collaborated with the City of Boulder’s Planning department to strengthen food security and built environment policies in their Agriculture and Food chapter. The team analyzed plans from twelve municipalities similar to Boulder. Each plan was scanned for relevant themes such as nutritious food access and local/sustainable agriculture. Thirty-four model policies were identified and sorted into three categories: present in Boulder’s current plan (10), somewhat present (14), and absent (10). For example, cultural relevance and choice are valued in achieving food security. These results generated a community survey. This project's methodology can be replicated in any topic. Food security advocates can utilize this research and modeled policy to engage with municipal planning around plans for equitable access to nutritious foods.
Risk and Emergency Management
Howard County, Md.
Howard County Call Center Training
The Howard County Call Center Training ensures representatives from a variety of Howard County Government departments are trained to serve in a call center role during an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation. The call center serves as a critical tool in public communication, ensuring non-emergency calls are filtered separately from emergency 911 calls, allowing members of the public to receive timely information and be connected the correct department or agency without inundating 911 as they are working to deploy first responders. Training ensures that call center operators have both the technical skills to operate the call center technology as well as the interpersonal skills and experience to successfully navigate the wide variety of call types a call center might support.
Transportation
Alameda County, Calif.
Tri-Valley Seek and Save Auto Partnership
Our Tri-Valley Seek and Save Auto Program is a partnership with non-profit Tri-Valley Seek and Save which provides essential car repairs and vehicle donations to low-income families in the Tri-Valley area, ensuring access to reliable transportation for work, school and daily necessities. Through this initiative, our focus has been to uplift low-income families and individuals that are underserved and do not have access to the resources needed to have reliable transportation for families who rely on their vehicle to support their livelihood. A vehicle for some serves as a lifeline for individuals who do not have a home, it makes the difference between sleeping on the street versus in a safe space.
Volunteers
Thurston County, Wash.
Thurston County Fix-It Fair
In November 2024, Thurston County partnered with the Lacey MakerSpace , a non-profit community-based organization, to host a community repair event in which volunteers fixed residents’ damaged textiles, household items, small appliances, tools, bicycles, and jewelry for free. In a span of just three hours, our twenty-four volunteers repaired seventy-two items brought by sixty-five attendees. Not only did the event keep 387 pounds from being discarded in the landfill, the joy and gratitude expressed by attendees easily confirmed our intention to host more volunteer-powered Fix-It Fairs in 2025.