Queen Creek, AZ
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Queen Creek has earned more recognition than most communities its size. The Town has received awards on national, state and regional levels for its innovative General Plan and ordinances, community outreach and citizen participation programs, environmental preservation efforts, and leadership, among others. The Town is committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
Champion of the Year Award, Mayor Julia Wheatley - Arizona Manufacturers Council
Distinguished Public Official Award, Paul Gardner - American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter
Young Economic Development Professional of the Year Award, Marissa Garnett - International Economic Development Council
Digital Transformation Award, Utility Billing System - Advanced Utility Systems
2023 Recycling Municipality of the Year - Circular Arizona
SAVVY Award, “QCPD - the Creation of a Police Department” - City-County Communications & Marketing Association
Award of Merit, 2023 State of the Town - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Copper Anvil, VisitQC website - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Copper Anvil, Permanent Base Adjustment Education Plan - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
The Town received a Platinum level “Healthy Worksites Award” in recognition of our Employee Wellness Program.
Golden Prospector Award of Merit - Arizona Association for Economic Development
Award of Excellence, Tourism postcard - City-County Communications & Marketing Association
40 under 40, Jennifer Lindley, Downtown Development Manager - Phoenix Business Journal
Award of Merit, QCPD Launch - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Award of Merit, Into to QCPD vehicles - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Award of Merit, Women in Law Enforcement- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Diversity Award, QCPD 30x30 Initiative - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
2022 Agency of Excellence, QCPD 30x30 Initiative - Western Region International Public Management Association for Human Resources
Honorable mention, QCPD 30x30 Initiative - Ragan Communications
Silver Circle, QCPD Launch - City-County Communications & Marketing Association
The Town received a Platinum level “Healthy Worksites Award” in recognition of our Employee Wellness Program.
Awards of Merit, Hay QC campaign - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Awards of Merit, Law Enforcement Study - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Phoenix
Silver Circle Award - Contactless QC Recycles Drop-off Event - SAVVY Awards
Outstanding Public Relations Tactics Campaigns - Copper Anvil
Outstanding Program / Youth Enrichment Program Award, Camp Live Play Learn - Arizona Parks & Recreation Best of the Best
Marketing & Communications Award, Camp Live Play Learn - Arizona Parks & Recreation Best of the Best
The Town received a Platinum level “Healthy Worksites Award” in recognition of our Employee Wellness Program.
Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre / Roots N' Boots Queen Creek was awarded 1st place for Best Footing in the WPRA Turquoise Circuit.
Mansel Carter Oasis Park won two awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies Arizona Engineering Excellence Awards:
- The Grand Award under the category Special Projects; and
- The Best Large Project Award
The Town received a Platinum level “Healthy Worksites Award” in recognition of our Employee Wellness Program.
Silver Telly Award - Silver, General Recruitment - Telly Awards
Best General Plan - American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter
Best Public Outreach, General Plan Update - American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter
Outstanding Facility (Pop. 10-100k), Mansel Carter Oasis Park - Arizona Parks & Recreation Association
Natural Resource, Mansel Carter Oasis Park - Arizona Parks & Recreation Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2019) - Government Finance Officers Association
Best Places to Work - #11 Midsize Company (2018) - Phoenix Business Journal
Economic Development Distinguished by Excellence Award for Small Organization of the Year (2018) - Arizona Association for Economic Development
Copper Anvil for for integrated communications (General Plan Update) (2018) - PRSA Phoenix
Award of Merit for the overall campaign (General Plan Update) (2018) - PRSA Phoenix
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2018) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2018) - Government Finance Officers Association
Award of Excellence for regularly scheduled programming (Why Wednesday) (2018) - 3CMA
Municipality of the Year 2018 Award from Arizona Recycling Coalition
Municipality of the Year Award for Public Engagement and Diversion Activities (2018) - AZ SWANA
Best Places To Work - #9 Midsize Company (2017) - Phoenix Business Journal
John J. DeBolske Professional Excellence Award - John Kross (2017) - Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA)
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2017) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2017) - Government Finance Officers Association
Golden Prospector Award of Merit for Agritainment Marketing Postcard (2017) - Arizona Association for Economic Development
Parks Professional of the Year - Rich Purcell (2017) - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
Public Works Project of the Year Award for Small Cities for the Ellsworth Road project from Germann to Ryan Roads (2017) - American Public Works Association
Best Places To Work - Midsize Business #12 (2016) - Phoenix Business Journal
Young Professional Award for Erica Perez - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
Copper Anvil - Special Event 7+ Days for Queen Creek Census (2016) - Public Relations Society of America - Phoenix Chapter
Savvy Award - Government Service Delivery/Community Issue (pop. 0 - 60,000) for Better Roads Ahead Campaign (2016) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Award of Excellence - Branding/New Logo for Better Roads Ahead (2016) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Award of Excellence - Publications for Corporate Strategic Plan (2016) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Ann Byrnes Memorial Award for Professional Excellence to Assistant Town Manager Bruce Gardener (2016) - Arizona State Society for Human Resources Management
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2016) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2016) - Government Finance Officers Association
Golden Prospector Award of Merit for InvestTheQC.com (2016) - Arizona Association for Economic Development
Copper Anvil - Special Event 7+ Days for 25th Anniversary Celebration (2015) - Public Relations Society of America - Phoenix Chapter
Savvy - One-Time Special Programming (pop. 0-55,000) for "From Rittenhouse to QC" (2015) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Award of Excellence - Best Use of Facebook (all populations) for Shop QC (2015) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Award of Excellence - Most Creative with Least Dollars Spent for Battle of the Badge (2015) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Best Social Media Program (2015) - Arizona Talent in Event Concepts
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2015) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2015) - Government Finance Officers Association
Excellence in Recycling Award in the Small Municipality for Education in the Classroom (2015) - Arizona Recycling Coalition
Playful City USA (2015) - Kaboom
Community/Neighborhood Special Event Award for Populations 25,000-100,000 for Trunk or Treat (2014) - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2014) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2014) - Government Finance Officers Association
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership for Regional Environmental Outreach program (2014) - the Maricopa Association of Governments
Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award for the Town's financial system, Munis (2014) - Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Engineering Excellence Honor Roll for the Sonoqui Wash Channelization Phase 2 (2013) - ACEC Arizona
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2013) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2013) - Government Finance Officers Association
Award of Merit for Environmental Education/Communication -Public Sector for the Town's Do More Blue (Jeans) project (2013) - Arizona Forward
Silver Circle Award for Graphic Design-Art for the Town's marketing campaign, "Rediscover Your Community" (2013) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Small Municipality Recycling Representative of the Year for the Town's Textile Recycling program (2013) - Arizona Recycling Coalition
Silver Circle Award for TV/Video Promotional Video for the Town's video, "Experience QC" (2013) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Silver Circle Award for Marketing and Tools/Other for the Town's tourism campaign, "Experience Queen Creek" (2012) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2012) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2012) - Government Finance Officers Association
Partnering Excellence for the Ellsworth Road Project (Hunt Highway to Cloud Road) (2012) - American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona
Certificate of Distinction for superior performance management efforts (2012) - International City/County Management Association
Desert Peaks Award for Public Partnership: Regional Emergency Transportation Service in conjunction with the Apache Junction Fire District, Town of Gilbert and City of Mesa (2012) - Maricopa Association of Governments
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership: Regional Wireless Cooperative/Topaz Regional Wireless Cooperative in conjunction with several other Valley municipalities (2012) - Maricopa Association of Governments
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Town of Queen Creek Budget (2012) - Government Finance Officers Association
Innovative Economic Development Project for the Queen Creek Business Incubator (2011) - Arizona Commerce Authority
Certificate of Achievement for superior performance management efforts (2011) - International City/County Management Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2011) - Government Finance Officers Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (2011) - Government Finance Officers Association
Award of Financial Reporting Achievement for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (Yolanda Bracamonte, Controller 2011) - Government Finance Officers Association
2011 UPPCC Sterling Agency for four consecutive years of "Fully Certified Agency" ranking - Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council
Certificate of Achievement for superior performance management efforts (2010) - International City/County Management Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2010) - Government Finance Officers Association
2010 UPPCC Sterling Agency for three consecutive years of "Fully Certified Agency" ranking - Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council
"Fully Certified Agency" Certification for strict adherence to purchasing laws (2010) - Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council
Desert Peaks Award for Public-Private Partnerships for the Ellsworth Loop Road (2010) - Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG)
2009 Human Resources Director of the Year Award for Medium Businesses (Bruce Gardner, Human Resources Director) - Arizona Business Magazine
"Fully Certified Agency" Certification for strict adherence to purchasing laws (2009) - Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2008-2009 Town of Queen Creek Budget (2009) - Government Finance Officers Association
Blue Sky Award for Governmental Agency Excellence in Air Pollution Reduction Efforts (2009) - Maricopa County Air Quality
Outstanding Facility for Populations under 25,000 for Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Center (2009) - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
"Fully Certified Agency" Certification for strict adherence to purchasing laws (2008) - Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council
Public Works Project of the Year for the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant (2008) – American Public Works Association
Savvy Award for Online Communications/Service Delivery for the Queen Creek Connection customer service management system (2008) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Award of Excellence for Communication Technology/Other for the Queen Creek Connection customer service management system (2008) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Outstanding Active Adult Program for the Operation Wounded Warrior program (2008) - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
Young Professional Award (Anthony Baumann, Recreation Program Supervisor) (2008) - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
Engineering Excellence Honor Award for the Sonoqui Wash Channel (2008) - American Council of Engineering Companies
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2007-2008 Town of Queen Creek Budget (2008) - Government Finance Officers Association
"Fully Certified Agency" Certification for strict adherence to purchasing laws (2008) - Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council
Engineering Excellence Honor Award for the Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant (2007) - American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Town of Queen Creek Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 (2007) - Government Finance Officers Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2006-2007 Town of Queen Creek Budget (2007) - Government Finance Officers Association
Best Master Plan Award for the Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan (2006) - Arizona Planning Association
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Town of Queen Creek Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 (2006) – Government Finance Officers Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2005-2006 Town of Queen Creek Budget (2006) - Government Finance Officers Association
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Excellence (Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr) (2006) – Maricopa Association of Governments
Desert Peaks Award for Public-Private Partnership for the Queen Creek Wash Project (2006) – Maricopa Association of Governments
Excel Award for Excellence in Leadership (Mayor Wendy Feldman-Kerr) (2005) – East Valley Partnership
Public Works Project of the Year for Environment $2-$10 Million for the Queen Creek Wash Improvement Project (2005) – American Public Works Association – Arizona Chapter
Outstanding Facility Award for populations under 25,000 for Desert Mountain Park (2005) - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association
Excellence in Rural Development Award for Community Development Service in Arts and Humanities for cooperation with the Queen Creek Unified School District to fund the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center (2005) - Arizona Department of Commerce
Excellence in Rural Development Award for Community Development Infrastructure for Desert Mountain Park (2005) - Arizona Department of Commerce
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2004-2005 Town of Queen Creek Budget (2005) - Government Finance Officers Association
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership for the San Tan Mountains Regional Park Master Plan (2004) - Maricopa Association of Governments
Superior Service Award for Management (Town Manager Cynthia Seelhammer) (2004) - American Society for Public Administration
“Making the Grade: The Valley’s 2004 Environmental Report Card” - Highest rating for communities under 50,000 population - Valley Forward Association
Best Comprehensive/General Plan for cities and towns with a population over 10,000 and growth rate over 2 percent (2003) - Arizona Planning Association
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2002-2003 Town of Queen Creek Budget (2003) - Government Finance Officers Association
Excellence in Rural Development Award Special Recognition for the General Plan Public Participation Project (2002) - Arizona Department of Commerce
Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (2000) - Arizona Planning AssociationExcellence in Rural Development Award Honorable Mention for Community Development Infrastructure for the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (2000) - Arizona Department of Commerce
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership for the Queen Creek/Gilbert Revenue Sharing Intergovernmental Agreement (2000) - Maricopa Association of Governments
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership in Williams Gateway Airport (1999) - Maricopa Association of Governments
Silver Circle Award for Citizen Participation in the Visioning Process for the Youth Center and Park Site (1998) - City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
Desert Peaks Award for Regional Excellence (Mayor Mark Schnepf) (1998) - Maricopa Association of Governments
American Hometown Leadership Award (Mayor Mark Schnepf) (1997) - National Center for Small Communities
Excellence in Rural Development Award for Leadership Development for the Citizen Leadership Institute (1997) - Arizona Department of Commerce
Best Ordinance/Regulation for the Queen Creek Subdivision Ordinance (1997) - Arizona Planning Association
Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc. Award for promoting, planning, planting and maintaining trees in the community (1997)
Distinguished Citizen Leadership (Mayor Mark Schnepf) (1995) - Arizona Planning Association
Best Comprehensive/General Plan (1991) - Arizona Planning Association