Scottsdale has earned our reputation as a world-class community. Here are some of the city's latest awards and accolades.
Scottsdale Awards/Recognitions 2019 – 2023
2023 Awards
Digital Cities Award – Scottsdale was recognized by the Center for Digital Government as a top digital city nationwide in the 125,000 – 249,999 population group for its use of technology to strengthen cybersecurity and enhance transparency, promotion of digital privacy rights and equality and for finding innovative ways to support solutions for social challenges facing cities today. (Nov. 2023)
Voice of the People Award – Polco and the International City/County Management Association recognized Scottsdale for leveraging technology to expand the ways residents can provide input and ideas. (Oct. 2023)
35 Year Local Government Service Award – City Manager Jim Thompson was recognized by the International City/County Management Association. (Oct. 2023)
Best Projects Award – Southwest region – Engineering News-Record awarded the city for its work on the Scottsdale Civic Center in the Landscape/Urban Development category.
Environmental Excellence Award of Merit – Awarded by Arizona Forward for the Bell/94 Sports Complex.
Arizona Association for Economic Development Golden Prospector Awards – Economic Development earned two Awards of Merit from the Arizona Association for Economic Development—a Special Event Award of Merit for the Super Season Site Selection event and a Multimedia Promotion Award of Merit for the “All Day. Every Day.” video campaign.
International Economic Development Council Award – Economic Development earned a bronze multimedia award from the International Economic Development Council for its “All Day. Every Day.” campaign video.
Governors Heritage Preservation Honor Award – Arizona Preservation Foundation and Arizona State Historic Preservation Office recognized Scottsdale for the Kiva Craft Center Rehabilitation Project.
CompTIA Public Technology Institute Solutions Award – The Short-term Rental Resource Center, created by Scottsdale’s Beacon Core Data Services Team, was a winner in CompTIA Public Technology Institute’s 2023 Solutions Awards.
Local IT Innovation of the Year Award – Scottsdale GIS Special Events Management System was recognized with a Local IT Innovation of the Year Award by the Scoop News Group for its digital map application showing the real-time location and status of onsite WM Phoenix Open first responders.
Police Communications Manager of the Year Award – Karen Sutherland was presented the award by the Arizona Chapter of Association of Police Communications Officials/National Emergency Number Association.
Award Winning Budget – Scottsdale’s Budget Office was awarded its 50th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
2023 Recognitions
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Scottsdale’s was recognized for the 50th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center Recognition – The center was designated a 2023-2024 premier facility by the United States Tennis Association. This is the second consecutive year the facility has received the national designation for its “exceptional leadership, quality of programs, staffing, and facility care."
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Scottsdale was selected for the 2023 LEED for Cities Leadership Program Cohort by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Tree City USA accreditation – Scottsdale was recognized for the 41st consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation.
CALEA reaccreditation - Scottsdale Police Department received its 10th reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
What Works Cities Gold Certification - Scottsdale received gold certification for its exceptional use of data to inform policy decisions, allocate funding, improve services, evaluate program effectiveness and engage residents by Bloomberg Philanthropies. (June 2023)
Blue Zones Project Scottsdale – Scottsdale was selected for a comprehensive initiative focused on transforming the environments where people live, work, learn and play to improve community well-being, resilience and economic vitality.
Organization of World Heritage Cities – The city was granted membership in recognition of the community’s efforts to preserve and protect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Desert home and laboratory, making Scottsdale among an elite group of 200 cities.
Phoenix Healthiest Employers – The Phoenix Business Journal awarded Scottsdale first place in the “large companies” category (1,500 to 4,999 employees).
2022 Awards
NextGen Mentorship Award – Assistant City Manager Brent Stockwell was recognized by the Arizona City/County Management Association. (Nov. 2022)
Readiness Challenge Winner – Scottsdale was awarded by the Smart Cities Council for using technology to help solve community challenges and improve lives. (February 2022)
Arizona Water Operations Leader of the Year – Scottsdale Water Resources Administrator Kevin Rose was recognized for his leadership and Scottsdale Water took home multiple safety awards for each of its facilities by the Arizona Water Association. (April 2022)
Crescordia Award (multiple) - McDowell Sonoran Preserve’s Fraesfield and Granite Mountain trailheads were recognized in two categories: “Natural Environment Preservation” and “Civic Buildings, Structures, and Landscape Design” by Arizona Forward. (March 2022)
WateReuse Awards for Excellence (multiple) - The WateReuse Association awarded its Excellence in Action Award to Scottsdale Water’s Reclaimed Water Distribution System and its Service Award to Executive Director Brian Biesemeyer. (March 2022)
Arizona Police Chief of the Year - Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther captured this Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police award for his commitment to the community, his success and leadership within his organization, and his dedication to AACOP and its mission. (Jan. 2022)
Arizona Library Volunteer of the Year – The Arizona Library Association recognized Pat Ansell.
American Planning Association General Plan Award – The City of Scottsdale General Plan 2035 was named the 2022 best “Regional or General or Comprehensive Plan” by the Arizona Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Award Winning Budget – Scottsdale’s Budget Office was awarded its 49th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
2022 Recognitions
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Scottsdale’s was recognized for the 49th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
Tree City USA accreditation – Scottsdale was recognized for the 40th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Top Local Government Influencers Recognition – Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) recognized three Scottsdale employees as top local government influencers for 2022. Scottsdale Police Department’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Cassie Johnson was named the No. 10 Top Local Government Influencer. Chief Information Officer Bianca Lochner and Business Intelligence Manager Kari Johnson made the list of ELGL’s Top 100 Local Government Influencers.
Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center Recognition – The center was designated a 2022-2023 premier facility by the United States Tennis Association. The USTA program recognizes top tennis providers across the country that meet or exceed qualifications in participation, certification & continuing coach education, programming, facility operations, customer service and community partnerships.
2021 Awards
Outstanding Special Event – The Tents by the Tracks event at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park was recognized by the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association.
Housing Choice Voucher Employee of the Year – Awarded to Human Services Supervisor Christina Cooley of Scottsdale’s Community Assistance Office.
Arizona Large System of the Year – Water Distribution was awarded at the AZ Water Conference.
Arizona Water Treatment Plant Project of the Year – Thomas Groundwater Treatment Facility was recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
Arizona Technology Professional of the Year – Rikk Mascia was recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
Arizona Laboratory Analyst of the Year – Keely Bolstad was recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
PTI Solutions Award – CompTIA and the Public Technology Institute awarded Scottsdale in the Geospatial Information Systems category for the Good to Go Business Interactive Map.
Award Winning Budget – Scottsdale’s Budget Office was awarded its 48th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
2021 Recognitions
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Scottsdale’s was recognized for the 48th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
Top 100 Local Government Influencers - Erin Krause Riley was recognized by Engaging Local Government Leaders for her work with the city’s Innovation Team.
SAFE-certified city – Scottsdale was the first awarded in Arizona for training more than 75% of city employees on how to identify, report and prevent human and sex trafficking by SAFE Action Project, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network and Homeland Security Investigations.
ALEAP accreditation - The Scottsdale Police Department became the first municipal police department in Arizona to achieve dual accreditation by achieving initial accreditation with the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP), while also holding CALEA accreditation.
Certificate of Excellence in Performance Management – The award recognizes organizations that exemplify a culture of performance management, pursue comparative analysis and data-informed decision-making and promote transparency. International City/County Management Association.
Indian School Park & Tennis Center Recognition – The center was recognized with a Distinguished Facility Award by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) and as Municipal Tennis Facility of the year by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine.
Tree City USA accreditation – Scottsdale was recognized for the 39th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Accredited Economic Development Organization – Scottsdale earned reaccreditation for its Economic Development Department by the International Economic Development Council
2020 Awards
Environmental Stewardship Award - Scottsdale Water Quality Director Suzanne Grendahl was recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
Construction Professional of the Year Award - Capital Project Management Construction Supervisor Jon Hughes received the award.
Knighton Award – The City Auditor’s Office captured the award for its Landfill Recycling Cost Review of 2019 by the Association of Local Government Auditors.
Global Business City of the Year – Scottsdale was recognized as the Global Business City of the Year by Global Chamber.
Voice of the People Award – Scottsdale was recognized with the Excellence in Economy award.
IEDC Award of Excellence – Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award was awarded to Scottsdale for multimedia promotion of the Cure Corridor, Delivering the Cure by the International Economic Development Council.
Award Winning Budget – Scottsdale’s Budget Office was awarded its 47th consecutive Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA) Preservation Performance Award – Scottsdale Transportation and Streets was awarded the 2020 International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA) Preservation Performance Award for its outstanding contributions to the pavement preservation industry.
WestWorld - 2020 Facility of the Year – The League of Agriculture & Equine Centers recognized WestWorld for excellence in management and operation.
2020 Recognitions
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Scottsdale’s was recognized for the 47th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
Tree City USA accreditation – Scottsdale was recognized for the 38th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation.
ICMA Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) designation – Assistant City Manager Brent Stockwell earned the designation. (Oct. 2020)
2019 Awards
Knope Award – McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park earned best local park/open space by Engaging Local Government Leaders.
Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation Award – Awarded for Operation Fix It, this award recognizes programs that successfully confront an important service delivery dilemma and had a positive impact and benefit to the community. (April 2019)
ADDY Award (multiple) - Six advertising awards were given to Scottsdale for Old Town rebranding. Three gold level awards (for magazine print, outdoor board advertising and integrated campaign), one silver award (for magazine print) and one bronze (for outdoor board). The Tourism and Events Department was also awarded the coveted Judge’s Choice Award for the entire campaign. Phoenix Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. (March 2019)
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award – 29th consecutive recognition in government budgeting for Scottsdale’s FY 2018/19 budget document. Awarded by an independent panel of peer reviewers from across the United States and Canada.
Growth Award - A recognition of community forestry programs that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and engagement in five categories. This was Scottsdale’s 26th consecutive award from the Arbor Day Foundation.
Gimmicks and Gadgets Award - The city’s wastewater maintenance group was recognized by the Arizona Water Association for its innovative solution to replacing large-diameter reverse osmosis membranes.
Operations Leader of the Year - Water Operations Supervisor Randy Gomez was recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
Laboratory Analyst of the Year - Principal Scientist Mark Xerxis was recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
AZ Water Health and Safety Professionals of the Year - Scottsdale Water Security, Safety and Training Coordinators Jeff Fritsch and Kerry Leib were recognized by the Arizona Water Association.
Clarity Award – The award recognizes local governments for using clear, concise and compelling story telling to share and engage with their communities. Engaging Local Government Leaders recognized Scottsdale for its citizen-friendly Annual Report.
Crescordia Sustainability Champion – The Arizona Forward award recognized Scottsdale Water as an organization that creates a culture of sustainability internally and externally, demonstrates a meaningful impact in advancing sustainable programs and serves as a model for environmental leadership.
Resilience Award – Scottsdale’s Indian Bend Wash was recognized by Arizona State University's Knowledge Exchange for Resilience.
2019 Arizona Planning Association Best Master Plan/Project/Study Award – Scottsdale was recognized for the Low Impact Development Handbook of Technical Standard Details and Specifications for 10-LID/GI techniques in collaboration with the ASU Sustainable Cities Network and member communities.
Award Winning Budget – Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.
2019 Diversity Champion Award – Diversity & Inclusion Manager Sharon Cini was awarded by the non-profit Community Celebrating Diversity.
Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award – The National Procurement Institute awarded Scottsdale for demonstrating excellence and exceeding the highest standards in innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership attributes.
2019 Recognitions
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – Scottsdale’s was recognized for the 46th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers’ Association.
What Works Cities Silver Certification – Scottsdale earned the Bloomberg Philanthropies certification for adopting a business mindset to run a well-managed government, embracing transparency, embedding data in decision-making– and several other accomplishments. (April 2019)
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting – The Government Finance Officers’ Association recognized Scottsdale for its 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. (April 2019)
Tree City USA accreditation – Scottsdale was recognized for the 37th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Certificate of Excellence in Performance Management – The International City/County Management Association recognized the city’s data-driven management and reporting efforts.
CALEA reaccreditation – Scottsdale Police celebrated 25 years of accredited status from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community – The League of American Bicyclists recognized Scottsdale for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices.
