Awards, Recognition & Good News

• 2024 Building Officials Association of Florida — Robert K. Becker Lifetime Achievement Award, Joel Dramis 
• 2020 Building Officials Association of Florida — Building Official of the Year, John Wolf
• 2019 Building Officials Association of Florida
  • Building Official of the Year, Joel Dramis
  • Plans Examiner of the Year, Louis Hatten
• 2018 Building Officials Association of Florida — Inspector of the Year, Condane Rolle
• 2017 International Accreditation Service (IAS) —  Best Practices Manual for Noteworthy Practices
• 2016-Present, International Accreditation Service (IAS) —  Accreditation

Learn more

2025

2025 Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FMCA)

• Video Produced In-House: Promotional/Special Event — Love Your Block Year 1 Wrap-up Video
• Governmental Entity Certificate of Excellence in Communications

2025 Granicus Digital Government Awards — Website of the Year

2025 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA):

• Communicator of the Year — Treasure Coast Chapter — Makenzie Spittler
• Silver Pinnacle Award — Government Communications Team of the Year

2025 National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

• Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award — Community Engagement Forum — Port St. Lucie International Fest
• Third Place — K-12 Educational Program — Port St. Lucie Youth Council
• Third Place — Multicultural Communications Program — Juneteenth: A Celebration of Unity

2025 Communicator Awards — General-Web Applications & Services, Distinction — City of PSL Website Relaunch

2024

2024 Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FCMA) — Outstanding Award for Podcast — PSL On The Mic

2024 MarCom Awards

• Honorable Mention — City of PSL debuts new, enhanced website
• Gold — Video/Film — Port St. Lucie, Florida, a growing city with a family‑friendly atmosphere

2024 National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) — Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award — Event/Community Engagement Forum — #IamPSL Citizen Summit

2024 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Treasure Coast Chapter:

• Communicator of the Year — Maritza Diaz‑Ott
• Government Team of the Year

2023

2023 MarCom Awards

• Platinum — 2022 Annual Report
• Honorable Mention — Help KPSLB Stomp Out Cigarettes in PSL
• Honorable Mention — Positive Solid Waste Change for PSL Campaign
• Gold — Understanding the Budget Process for the City of PSL

2023 Florida League of Cities — Municipal Marketing Campaign Outstanding Award

2023 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Treasure Coast Chapter

• Dick Pope All Florida Golden Image Award — Positive Solid Waste Change Campaign  
• Judges' Award
• Golden Image Award

2023 City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) — Savvy Award Finalist 

2023 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) — Radiance Awards Finalist — Positive Solid Waste Change for PSL Campaign

2023 Vega Awards — Gold Winner — Video/Online Campaign: Citizen Summit

2023 Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FCMA) — Outstanding Awards Program — Best Marketing Campaign: Solid Waste Crisis & Recovery

2023 American Advertising Awards, Treasure Coast Chapter — Silver ADDY — City Manager's 2022 Annual Report

2023 Digital AVA Awards

• Honorable Mention — ’Tis the Season to Recycle
• Gold — PSLinLights

2022

2022 Dot Comm Awards

• Honorable Mention — PSL Living: What Is Forest Bathing?
• Gold — We Drive 25 Campaign

2022 National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

• Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award — Higher‑Paying Jobs for PSL Referendum
• Second Place — Educational/Promotional Campaign (less than $100,000)

2022 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA)

• Award of Distinction; Image Award — Higher‑Paying Jobs for PSL Referendum
• Treasure Coast Chapter — Communicator of the Year — Maureen Kenyon

2022 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) — Radiance Award — Keep Our Roadways Safe Speeding Campaign

2022 Communicator Awards

• Award of Excellence — DEI Campaign: Police Recruitment Video & Webpage
• Award of Distinction — Arts & Entertainment: Harvest in the Garden

2022 AVA Digital Awards

• Gold — City Manager’s Bi‑Weekly Reports
• Platinum — Water Quality Initiatives

2021

2021 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Sunshine District — Radiance Award — Integrated Marketing: 2020 Census

2021 3CMA — Savvy Awards

• Communication – 2020 Census
• Resident Participation – 2021 Citizen Summit

2021 Telly Awards — Bronze — Keep Our Kids Safe PSL Speeding PSA

2021 Results 4 America — Sharman Stein Award for Storytelling Changemakers

2021 Viddy Awards

• Gold — Homes for PSL Heroes
• Platinum — Our Water (Water Quality Evolution)
• Honorable Mention — Sylvia Harris Documentary

2021 Dot Comm Awards

• Gold — Our Water series
• Gold — Speeding Prevention Website
• Platinum — Annual Report: Resiliency Through Teamwork
• Honorable Mention — PSLinLights Video

2021 AVA Digital Awards

• Gold — 2019 Annual Report
• Gold — Welcome Guide
• Honorable Mention — 2020 Census Webpage
• Honorable Mention — Breaking Down Taxes Video

2021 Hermes Awards

• Gold — State of the City video
• Gold — 2020 Annual Report
• Platinum — 2020 Census Campaign
• Platinum — Welcome Guide
• Platinum — Our Waters Video Series

2021 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA)

• Golden Image Award — PSLinLights (State)
• Image Awards — 2020 Census Campaign (District)

2021 Communicator Awards

• Award of Excellence — Welcome Guide
• Award of Distinction — Septic to Sewer Conversion

2021 American Advertising Federation (AAF)

• Gold — 2020 Annual Report
• Gold — Welcome Guide
• Gold — Why I Wear A Mask Video
• Gold — The Port Logo

2020

2020 Davey Awards — Silver — Annual Report

2020 Dot Comm Awards

• Honorable Mention — Leisure Time
• Gold — eAnnual Report
• Gold — Crosstown Grand Opening Video

2020 Videographer Awards

• Award of Excellence — Thrips Research at McCarty Ranch
• Award of Distinction — Citizen Summit
• Award of Distinction — Crosstown Grand Opening
• Award of Distinction — Dr. Mark Pamer Interview
• Honorable Mentions — COVID‑19 Hospitals; 1PSL; Alexa Integration

2020 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Awards

• Judges Award — Crosstown Grand Opening
• Golden Image Award — Crosstown Grand Opening

2020 PRSA Sunshine District — Commendation Award — Crosstown Grand Opening      

2020 Telly Awards —  Bronze: Researchers Use Thrips to Fight Brazilian Peppers at McCarty Ranch

2020 Communicator Awards — Award of Excellence — Crosstown Grand Opening

2020 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Image Awards

• Image Award — Crosstown Grand Opening
• Judge’s Award — Crosstown Grand Opening
• Grand All Image Award — Crosstown Grand Opening
• Award of Distinction — 2020 Growing Together Annual Report

2020 AVA Digital Awards

• Gold — Retail & Restaurant Report
• Gold — 1PSL
• Honorable Mentions — Parks & Rec Overview; Hurricane Dorian
• Platinum — A Year in Review: Chamber Presentation

2020 American Advertising Awards (AAF)

• Gold — Annual Report (Print/Digital)
• Gold — Annual Report (Printed)
• Silver — Leisure Time Magazine
• Silver — Water Quality Booklet
• Silver — Utilities 25th Shirt
• Silver — PSLPD Speeding PSA (:30)
• Silver — Parks & Rec Overview (Web)
• Silver — 1PSL App Video (Animation/Motion)
• Silver — Citizen Summit (CSR)
• Judge’s Choice — CSR

2020 Granicus Digital Government Award

2020 Silver Zedman Award — Local/Community

2019

2019 City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA)

• Silver Circle Award — #IamPSL Citizen Summit
• Award of Excellence — Half‑Cent Sales Tax Campaign

2019 AVA Digital Award

• Gold — Eastern Watershed Improvement Project
• Gold — The Agenda
• Platinum — A Year in Review
• Gold — Sales Tax Website
• Gold — Digital Annual Report

2019 The Palm Awards

• Crisis Communications — Southern Grove
• Annual Report — A Year in Review
• Amendment #14 Sales Tax

2019 ADDY Awards

• Silver — Annual Report
• Gold — Citizen Summit Campaign
• Silver — What We Do (Webisode)
• Silver — The Agenda (Series)
• Silver — Fall Fun Fest Promo
• Silver — Sales Tax

2019 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA)     

• Judges Award — Sales Tax
• Image Award — Sales Tax
• Judges Award — Southern Grove
• Judges Award — Annual Report

2019 Communicator Awards

• Excellence — Citizen Summit
• Distinction — Sales Tax
• Distinction — The Agenda
• Distinction — Annual Report

2019 Telly Awards —  Bronze — Eastern Watershed Improvement Project (EWIP)

2018

2018 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Sunshine District

• Award of Commendation — Hurricane Irma Crisis Communications
• Award of Commendation — City Website

2018 Communicator Awards (AIVA)  

• Social Media Crisis — Hurricane Irma
• Annual Report — A Year in Review
• Employee Publication — Bi‑Weekly Report
• Promotions — Where Is Waldo in PSL?
• Integrated Campaign — NICE Program
• Visual Appeal — City News Center
• Government Website — New Government Website

2018 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), Treasure Coast Chapter Image Awards

• Judge’s Award — City Manager’s Annual Report
• Government Communicator of the Year — City PIO

2018 AVA Digital Awards 

• Platinum — NICE Campaign
• Platinum — Bi‑Weekly Report
• Gold — Crisis Communication: Hurricane Irma
• Honorable Mention — Redesigned Website

2018 Hermes Awards 

• Gold — A Year in Review
• Honorable Mention — Government Website
• Platinum — Hurricane Irma Plan
• Gold — NICE Program

2018 National Association of Counties NACo / NACIO 

• Meritorious — NICE Campaign
• Excellence — City Photography (Woodstork Trail)
• Superior — Budget‑in‑Brief
• Meritorious — Bi‑Weekly Report
• Superior — A Year in Review

2018 Davey Awards  

• Silver — Government Website
• Silver — Social Media Presence

2018 APEX Awards

• Grand Award — NICE Program
• Award of Excellence — Strategic Plan Report

2018 Videographer Awards

• Distinction — The Agenda
• Honorable Mention — Citizen Summit Promo

2017

2017 Route Fifty Navigator Awards — Finalist: City University

2017 Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), Sunshine District — Radiance Award of Commendation — Hurricane Matthew

2017 Hermes Creative Awards

• Honorable Mention — Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion
• Gold — Hurricane Matthew Emergency Communications

2017 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) — Judges' Award Release

2017 City Livability — Outstanding Achievement — Forum on Race Relations & Inclusion

2016

2016 Gold Coast Public Relations Council — Bernays Award – Best Crisis Communications — Hurricane Matthew Emergency Operations

• 2024 Fitch Ratings — Utility System Revenue Bonds upgrade from AA- to AA with a Stable Outlook
• 2023 S&P upgrades the City of Port St. Lucie’s rating, highlighting significant economic growth
• 2020 ERP Tyler Excellence Award — Munis
• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)
  • 2023 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR)
  • Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting — Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The City has received this prestigious award for 33 consecutive years.

• 2025 Mental Health America — Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health
• 2023 Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA) — Small Agency Award of Excellence
• St. Lucie County — Best Places to Work (2003-2009, 2015-2024)
• 2021 Mental Health America — Platinum Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health
• 2020 NeoGov Recognition — How COVID-19 Led to a Better Onboarding Experience(PDF, 168KB)  
• 2020 Governing.com Recognition — Government’s Innovation Surge Shouldn’t End with the Pandemic
• 2016 & 2017 Florida Department of Health — Healthy Weight Community Champion
• 2017 Florida Tobacco Cessation Alliance — Gold Level Award

• 2022 St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce — Business and Industry Award (Professional Services)

• 2022 State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program — Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation Award 
• 2022 St. Lucie County Upward Mobility Cohort — Upward Mobility Leadership Award
• 2022 Neighborhoods USA Conference — Best Neighborhood Program, Physical Revitalization for its Neighborhood Entry Sign Program
• 2020 American Association of Code Enforcement — 4-star Accreditation 
• 2018 Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Best Neighborhood Program Award — 1st Place for Physical Revitalization/Beautification
• 2017 Route Fifty Navigator Awards Finalist for City University

Budget Division

• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA):
  • Distinguished Budget Award (awarded for 37 consecutive years; 1990-2026)
  • Special Recognition: Performance Measures (2020-2023; 2025-2026)
  • Special Recognition: Strategic Goals and Strategies (2023; 2025-2026)
  • Special Recognition: Budget Process (2026)
  • Special Recognition: Capital Program (2025)

Procurement Division

• Florida Association of Public Purchasing Officers (FAPPO)
  • Award for Excellence in Public Procurement (awarded for 24 consecutive years; 2003-2026)
  • Outstanding Purchasing Award (2000)
  • Best Practice Award (2008; Honorable Mention 2009, 2010, 2013)
• National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP)
  • QPPD Accreditation Award (2003-2028)
  • Innovations in Public Procurement Award (2010)
• National Purchasing Institute (NPI) — Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award (2003-2015, 2023-2025)
• National Association of Purchasing Card Professional (NAPCP) — Featured Member: Karen Rodgers, CPCP, Procurement Card Administrator (September 2019)
• Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC)
  • Sterling Agency Award (2012; 2015)
  • Agency Certification (2010-2016)

• 2024 Florida Recreation & Park Association — Innovative Programming Award for FAM Fest
• 2024 Florida Festivals & Events Association — Community Impact Award for FAM Fest
• 2023 Florida Recreation & Park Association
  
  • Excellence in Health Award
  • The Golden Shovel Parks Professional Award, Kelly Boatwright, CPRP, Park Administrator-Projects
• 2022 Florida Recreation & Park Association — Public Relations Campaign Award for PSLPRD’s Community Input Survey
• 2022 Florida Recreation & Park Association Facility Showcase, featuring major park improvements at Rotary Park
• 2022 TC Palm Best Golf Course on the Treasure Coast — The Saints Golf Course 
• 2021 CAPRA Accreditation – awarded by the National Recreation and Park Association
• 2021 NRPA “30 Under 30” awarded to Fitness Coordinator Christiana Marasa
• 2021 Florida Recreation & Park Association — FLREC eSports Tournament – “Rocket League 3v3” State Champions
• 2021 Mission Control — USPREC eSports Tournament – “Rocket League 3v3” National Champions
• 2021 FRPA Journal: Public Spaces & Facilities Showcase for Sportsman's Community Park Playground & Fitness Area
• 2021 NRPA Innovation in Health Award for Healthy U: A Series of Conversations
• 2021 FPRA Innovative Programming Award Community Building for Healthy U: A Series of Conversations
• 2021 TC Palm Best Golf Course on the Treasure Coast: The Saints Golf Course
• 2020 National Philanthropy Day Organization awards Saints Volunteer with Unsung Hero Award
• 2020 FRPA Innovation in Health Award for the Opioid Epidemic Awareness Public Forum
• 2019 NRPA Best in Innovation Award for Rock Steady Boxing Program
• 2019 NRPA Parks & Recreation Success Stories – Healthy Aging in Parks photo contest for the Rock Steady Boxing Program – Knocking Down the Barriers of Parkinson’s
• 2019 FRPA Facility Showcase for Woodland Trails Neighborhood Park 
• 2019 NRPA Innovation in Health Award for Rock Steady Boxing Program
• 2015 TC Palm Reader’s Choice Award – Best Dog Park – Lyngate Dog Park
• 2014 TC Palm Reader’s Choice Award – Best Dog Park – Lyngate Dog Park
• 2014 Macaroni Kid Port St. Lucie Gold Daisy Award – Family-Friendly Festival or Event – 2014 Freedomfest
• 2014 Macaroni Kid Port St. Lucie Gold Daisy Award – Place for Outdoor Fun – Port St. Lucie Civic Event Fountain
• 2014 Hometown News Reader’s Choice Award – Best Public Golf Course-Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• 2013 Florida Recreation & Park Association (FRPA) Media Excellence Award (renamed Public Relations in 2014) – Electronic – Other – P & R E-newsletter
• 2013 Hometown News Reader’s Choice Award – Best Public Golf Course-Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• 2013 Hometown News Reader’s Choice Award – Best Public Golf Course-Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• 2012 Hometown News Reader’s Choice Award – Best Public Golf Course-Saints at Port St. Lucie Golf Course
• 2012 Florida Recreation & Park Association (FRPA) Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation Volunteer Program
• 2003 Florida Recreation & Park Association (FRPA) Agency Excellence Award

• Florida Gang Investigators Association — Gang Unit of the Year Award; and “William Nealy” Gang Prevention Award (2023)
• International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) — Leadership in Volunteer Police Service Programs Award – Comprehensive Police Service Program (2017, 2022)
• Florida Animal Control Association (FACA) — Outstanding Agency of the Year (2021)
• Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CFA) (1997, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022)
• Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) (1991, 1996, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021)

2026 Florida Engineering Society Treasure Coast Chapter — Engineer of the Year Award — Colt Schwerdt, Director of Public Works and City Engineer

2026 American Public Works Association (APWA)

• Florida Chapter Professional Manager of the Year Award — Thomas Salvador, Public Works Department
• Exemplary Practices Award — Summer Burdick, Utility Systems Department
• Mac Ulsch Award — Robert Carlsen, Public Works Department
• Technical Innovation Award — Carlos Camacho, Utility Systems Department
• Frank “Cheech” DeCelles Award/Florida Chapter Member of the Year Award — Beth Zsoka, Public Works Department
• Five-Year Member Award — Andrew Gomez, Public Works Department
• Long-Time APWA Member Award — John Dunton, Public Works Department

2025 American Public Works Association (APWA)

• Florida Chapter Professional Manager of the Year — Colt Schwerdt, Public Works, Director and City Engineer
• Orange Heart Medal Award — Robert Carlsen, Public Works, Drainage Supervisor
• Young Leader Award — Summer Burdick, Utility Systems, Accreditation and Performance Manager 

2021 Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) — National Award of Excellence and Award of Merit — Crosstown Parkway Bridge Extension

2021 American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC-FL) — Outstanding Design-Build — Crosstown Parkway Bridge Extension

2019 Water Environment Federation (WEF) — National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Award — NPDES Phase II Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4)

• Silver in Innovation
• Gold in Project Management

2001-Present, American Public Works Association (APWA) — Accreditation

• 2023 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) — Award of Distinction — Jenny Tomes, APR, for outreach in local classrooms as Water Woman.
• 2022 Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Focus on Change Plant Operations Excellence Award: Glades Wastewater Treatment Plant
• 2022 Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Golden Image Award: Jenny Tomes, APR for “Living Reef Dedicated to Lost Founder”
• 2022 Florida Section American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) Volunteer of the Award: Jenny Tomes, APR 
• 2019 FPRA Judges' Award Public Relations Program
  • In April 2019, Utility Marketing Coordinator Jenny Tomes was recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) for implementing the annual “Drop Savers” Water Conservation Poster Contest in St. Lucie County Schools.
• 2019 FPRA Communicator of the Year
  • In April 2019, Utility Marketing Coordinator Jenny Tomes was recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) for her outstanding government public relations.
• 2019 Service Member Patriot Award
  • In January 2019, Water Distribution & Preventative Maintenance Superintendent Rob Noon and Supervisor George Cirruto received the Service Member Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a division of the Department of Defense. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.
• 2018 FPRA Member of the Year
  • In August 2018, Utility Marketing Coordinator Jenny Tomes was recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) for her commitment to the FPRA Treasure Coast Chapter and performance as the Media Conference Director.
• 2018 FPRA Judges' Award Digital Tools: Ring Saved from Sewer
  • In April 2018, Utility Marketing Coordinator Jenny Tomes was recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association for producing a video news release about a World War II veteran who accidentally flushed a very special ring down the toilet.
• 2017 Rising Leader Award
  • In September 2017, Utility Marketing Coordinator Jenny Tomes was recognized by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) for her performance as the Media Conference Director for the FPRA Treasure Coast Chapter.
• 2017 Water Fluoridation Quality Award
  • In June 2017, the City of Port. St. Lucie Utility Systems Departments Prineville and James E. Anderson Water Treatment Facility recognized for their "consistent and professional adjustment of the fluoride content to the optimum level for oral health for 12 consistent months".
• 2016 FWPCOA Theodore Kamien Award
  • In August 2016, Cross-Connection Supervisor Glen Cockrell  was named the Florida Water and Pollution Control Operators Association (FWPCOA) recipient of the 2016 Theodore Kamien Award at the Annual State Short School awards luncheon for his outstanding dedication to backflow and cross-connection control. 
• 2015 F.S.A.W.W.A. (Florida Section Region VIII of the American Water Works Association) “Runner-up best tasting water”
  • In March, 2015, the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Departments’ James E. Anderson Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant was named “Runner-up best tasting water” by the FSAWWA.
• 2014 S.E.D.A. (Southeast Desalting Association) “2014 Outstanding Membrane Plant"
  • In June, 2014, the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Departments James E. Anderson Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant was named the “2014 Outstanding Membrane Plant” by SEDA, an affiliate of the American Desalting Association.
• 2014 National Association of Governmental Communicators “Award of Excellence”
  • In July, 2014, the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems and Communications Departments jointly accepted an “Award of Excellence” from the National Association of Governmental Communicators for an educational video produced about the potential damage caused to sewer utility systems by flushing “flushable wipes”
• 2013 F.S.A.W.W.A. (Florida Section Region VIII of the American Water Works Association) “Best tasting water”
  • In February, 2013, the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Departments Prineville Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant was named “Best tasting water” by the FSAWWA.
• 2007 Water Fluoridation Quality Award