Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Award Winners for 2000

(Under 25,000 population)

Download a current application form in .pdf format

See other Municipal Excellence Awards Winners

Management Innovations – City of Lockhart

The Dr. Eugene Clark Library has served as the educational, cultural, and entertainment center for over 100 years. The library is responding to advances in technology and providing a much-needed service to the community. LOCK.NET provides a mobile computer lab in two low-income neighborhoods to teach basic computer skills and use of the Internet. The project is providing Internet connectivity and computer skills for citizens who would not otherwise have them. This outreach program exemplifies the commitment on the part of the city to be responsive and pro-active with its customers – the citizens of Lockhart.

(back to top)

Public Works - City of Sweetwater

Newman Park is a focal point for activities in Sweetwater. The park provides enjoyable leisure opportunities that are accessible, safe, physically attractive, and not over-crowded. The city maintains the park through a regular park improvement program as staff and funding is available. In 1999, the city’s ability to improve the park increased when Sweetwater become the site of a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Workcamp. With TDCJ residents available for public works projects, the city was able to add a pond, walkways, and a fountain. Additional plans are underway to include landscaping using the TDCJ labor. The park is truly a place of pride for the citizens of Sweetwater.

(back to top)

Public Safety - City of Webster

In 1999, a survey of residents showed that they were concerned by the lack of activities for the growing senior population. The city council called on the police department to do all it could to make the city’s senior residents feel safe and secure. From that directive, the city developed its “community assistance program.” Examples of the activities include city-sponsored semi-annual lunches attended by nearly 100 seniors; an automated “are you okay?” telephone call that can dispatch police officers when no response is received; free portable transmitters that can summon help in case of a medical emergency; and other social and learning activities.

(back to top)

Communications - City of Bellmead

The mission of the Bellmead Junior City Council Program is assuring that all students are learning for their future and that of the city. Since the inception of the Junior City Council program in the fall of 1992, the city and the La Vega Independent School District have worked together to teach fifth grade students how municipal government works, including elections to office, involvement in various activities and meetings, and even the adoption of a budget. This project is in its eighth year and involved more than 1,200 students, eighty junior city councilmembers and nearly four hundred parents. This year, the first junior city council graduated from high school and the first junior mayor was valedictorian of the graduating class. The City of Bellmead believes that a strong partnership between the school, families, and the city will better ensure the future success of all of our children.

(back to top)

City Spirit – City of Lacy Lakeview

Believing in the “broken windows” theory, the city decided to aggressively take steps to clean the city and enhance its image. The city wanted to develop an identity and welcome visitors to the city. Citizen volunteers along with city, state, and federal agencies have “rebuilt” the city. A new pride exists in the city as business owners and homeowners take steps to improve the image of the city. The Loop 340 corridor became an attractive area for new businesses, and city parks have become popular locations for residents. The City of Lacy Lakeview is born again!

(back to top)

Additional Information

Additional information on the TML Municipal Excellence Awards Program can be obtained by calling Karla Vining at the TML offices, (512) 231-7400.

(back to top)