Recognitions

DISTINGUISHED AWARDS

The City of Santa Clarita’s commitment to excellence is reflected in the many awards that the City has won for its services and programs. Santa Clarita has been successful in winning a variety of international, national, state, and regional awards in a variety of categories, showcasing the City’s achievements and expertise in a positive way. In addition, the City of Santa Clarita is often recognized by organizations and websites for the City’s high quality of life.

HELEN PUTNAM AWARDS

The Helen Putnam Awards are given by the League of California Cities for excellence and outstanding achievements for California’s 482 cities. These winning cities have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses which have resulted in lowered costs or more effective delivery of services. The City of Santa Clarita has won more awards than any other city in California.

AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

• 2020: Internal Administration, City of Santa Clarita Internship Program
• 2020: Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government, “I Found Sammy Clarita”
• 2019: California Park and Recreation Society’s Award of Excellence for the Annual River Rally
• 2018: Diversion Program, “Community Court”
• 2018: Santa Clarita Business Incubator
• 2017: Economic Development through the Arts, “Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District Program”
• 2017: Public Safety, “Heroin Kills”
• 2017: Internal Administration, “Employment Development Program”
• 2017: Public Safety, “Special Needs Registry”
• 2015: Economic Development through the Arts, “Old Town Newhall Arts and Entertainment District”
• 2014: Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership Intergovernmental Collaboration, “Drug Free Youth in Town (DFYIT)”
• 2013: Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics and Community Involvement, “City’s Granada Villa Neighborhood Committee”
• 2012: Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics and Community Involvement, “Neighborhood Services Team and Outreach Program”
• 2010: Housing Programs and Innovations, “Extreme Neighborhood Makeovers”
• 2008: Community Services and Economic Development, “Santa Clarita’s Film and Tourism Programs for Secure City Revenue”
• 2007: Grand Prize for Internal Administration, “City’s Graffiti Tracking and Prevention Application”
• 2007: Effective Advocacy for Intergovernmental Relations and Regional Corporation, “Newhall Community Center”

CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION:

• 2019: Excellence Award for Three Oaks Project – 29-unit affordable housing development

HEALTHIEST CITY

• 2020: “Better Sports for Kids Quality Program Provider” designation from the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) – 2nd consecutive year
• 2018: Named one of 15 healthiest places to travel by Expedia’s travel blog
• 2018: Named one of the healthiest cities by Viewfinder
• 2018: Santa Clarita was ranked one of the Healthiest Cities in California in the City and Community Health Profiles
• 2017: Named, “10th Healthiest City” out of 150 American Cities by Wallethub.com
• 2008: Clean Air Award for Model Community Achievements by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD)

HAPPIEST PLACES TO LIVE

• 2019: The Signal – “Best Live Entertainment” award
• 2019: Top 50 Happiest Cities in the United States by Wallethub.com
• 2019: Top 20 Places to Raise a Family on the West Coast by SmartAsset
• 2019: Ranked 24 out of 174 of the largest U.S. cities as the “Happiest Place to Live” by Wallethub.com
• 2018: Ranked third in the nation by Pennygeeks as Best Place to Live in the United States
• 2018: Named 22nd in Retail Sales out of 480 cities in California by the California Retail Survey. This is within the top five percent of cities in the state. Additionally, the City is one of only 42 cities with a retail market above $2 billion, higher than Beverly Hills, Burbank, and Pasadena.
• 2017: Ranked 12 out of 150 of the largest U.S. cities as the “Happiest Place to Live” by Wallethub.com
• 2016: Named “America’s 20th Best City to Live” by 24/7 Wall St.
• 2016: Most Business Friendly in Los Angeles County by Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
• 2016: Runner Friendly Community by the Road Runners Club of America
• 2015: Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community Award for our extensive bike paths, trials and paseos
• 2015: Best City to Retire in Southern California by the website, “Only in your State”
• 2013: Named one of the top 100 Best Places to Live by Liveability.com
• 2012: Rideshare Diamond Award from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its Outstanding Marketing Program for “Bike to Work Day and Employee Rideshare Program”

SAFEST CITY TO LIVE

• 2019: Ranked 49 out of 101 for Safest City in America by SafeHome.org
• 2019: Named Santa Clarita as one of the 50 Safest Cities in California by Safewise.com
• 2019: Recognized by the California Emergency Services Association for the City’s Emergency Trails Locator System
• 2018: Rated as Top 10 City in the nation for the lowest amount of property crime based on FBI crime reports by Reviews.org
• 2017: Named Santa Clarita one of the top 100 Safest Cities in America by National Council for Home Safety and Security
• 2017: Named Santa Clarita 3rd Safest City with a population over 200,000 by National Council for Home Safety and Security
• 2017: Ranked Santa Clarita as the 3rd Safest City in the America by Parenting.com
• 2017: Named Santa Clarita as one of the 50 Safest Cities in California by Safewise.com

CITY OF THE FUTURE

• 2017-2018: Ranked Santa Clarita 4th out of more than 200 cities in the Small American City of the Future category by fDi American Cities of the Future
• 2015: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certificate for the Old Town Newhall Library and its effective and sustainable design features
• 2010: Top ranked municipalities in the nation by Center for Digital Government Technology
• 2009: Top ranked municipalities in the nation by Center for Digital Government Technology

THE BEACON AWARD

The Beacon award recognizes local governments that have implemented voluntary sustainability efforts and have demonstrated lower use of energy, water and resources as a result.

• 2018: Won Beacon Spotlight Award from the Institute for Local Government for Natural Gas Savings
• 2016: Won for promoting sustainability practices and facilitating outreach efforts through our website and social media
• 2016: Won Platinum Level for “Green Santa Clarita” website for promoting sustainable development and local leadership towards solving climate change
• 2011: Achieved “Silver Status” as a California Green Community for its commitment to sustainability

DISTRICT TRANSPARENCY CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

The Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF), an independent and non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts.

• 2020: District Transparency Certificates of Excellence by the Special Districts Leadership Foundation (SDLF)
• 2018: District Transparency Certificates of Excellence by the Special Districts Leadership Foundation (SDLF)
• 2016: District Transparency Certificate of Excellence for our outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance Sports/Athletics Program
• 2016: Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) presented the City of Santa Clarita with the Appreciation Award
• 2014: Innovative Sports Activity Award for “Youth Sports and Healthy Families Festival Event” by the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF)
• 2005: Best Public/Non-Profit Family Aquatic Center Award from the Aquatics International Magazine

AAA CREDIT RATING  

AAA is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by Stand & Poor’s. A Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program.

2020: Standard & Poor’s (S&P) affirmed the City’s Issuer Credit Rating of AAA. Santa Clarita is one of 44 cities (top nine percent) in California with a AAA credit rating since 2012.

TREE CITY USA

• 2019: Santa Clarita has won this award for 30 consecutive years
• 2017: Reached Platinum level status for energy management which allows the City to qualify for bonus rebate funding with Southern California Edison
• 2016: Pinnacle Award for the “City’s Tourism Website” by the National Association of Government Web Professionals Community Energy Partnership Program

JERRY WALKER COMMITMENT TO QUALITY SERVICE AWARD

• 2019: Quality Service Award – Transit

ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN PROCUREMENT (AEP) AWARD

AEP highlights the Cities purchasing policies and practices.

• 2020: Won the National Procurement Institute, Inc. for the 10th time. Santa Clarita is one of 69 cities in the United States and Canada to receive this esteemed award.

INVESTMENT POLICY CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award is given out from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada to honor excellence in written investment policy.

• 2020: Santa Clarita won for the 26th consecutive year

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (GFOA)

GFOA’s awards for Governmental Finance that recognizes innovative contributions to the practice of governmental finance that exemplify outstanding financial management. This is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

• 2021: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting” from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 32nd consecutive year in recognition of the FY 2019-20 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
• 2020: Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report – 31st consecutive year

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (NPI)

NPI establishes a program designed to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. These prestigious awards recognize organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on standardized criteria.

• 2020: Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award – 10th time the City has received this award

NATIONAL RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION (NRPA)

• 2019: Innovation in Social Equity Award – Jakes Way Neighborhood Program

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION of AMERICA (CMAA)

• 2019: Project Achievement Award for the 2017 – 2018 Annual Overlay and Slurry Seal Project

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

• 2019: California Internship Work Experience Association – Public Works

AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION (APWA) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER

• 2018: Outstanding Public Works Project of the Year, “Old Town Newhall Parking Structure”
• 2018: Transportation Award, “Newhall Ranch Road Bridge Widening”
• 2018: Best Environmental Project of the Year, “Heritage Trail from Gateway Ranch to Wildwood Canyon”
• 2018: Creative and Innovative Award, “Enhancing Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Flow Through the Use of Electric Blank-Out Signs”
• 2017: Project of the Year, “Golden Valley Bridge Widening over State Route 14”
• 2017: Best Environmental Project of the Year, “Open Space Trail Volunteer Program”
• 2017: Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year Award – Director Robert Newman
• 2014: Best Improvement for Public Safety for “Old Town Newhall Roundabout”
• 2014: Project of the Year for “Old Town Newhall Roundabout”
• 2013: Project of the Year, “Old Town Newhall Library”
• 2012: Project of the Year, “Old Town Newhall Library”
• 2010: Outstanding Project of the Year, “City’s Golden Valley Road Bridge”
• 2009: Project of the Year for the completion of the “Magic Mountain Parkway/Interstate 5 On and Off Ramps and Intersection Expansion Project”
• 2009: Grand Prize for Best Economic Development program in the State of California for, “City’s Small Business Program”
• 2008: Grand Prize for Best Economic Development program in the state of California for, “City’s Film Program”
• 2008: Grand Prize for Best Economic Development program in the state of California for, “City’s Tourism Program”
• 2008: Innovative Design of the Year for, “City’s Transit Maintenance Facility”

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICIALS (CAPIO)

CAPIO “Excellence in Communications” awards recognize the most creative and effective in the areas of communications and marketing campaigns, newsletter production, photography, special events, writing, website development and video production.

EPIC AWARD

• 2020: Graphic Design, “Sammy Stories”
• 2020: Writing, “Saugus Strong” Article
• 2020: Social Media – Best Use Overall, “Saugus Strong Tiles”
• 2019: Preparedness/Public Safety Education, “Heads Up Traffic Safety Campaign”
• 2018: Social Media/New Media, Large Population, “Sammy Clarita”
• 2018: Crisis Communications/Public Safety Educational Campaign, “Heads Up”
• 2017: Crisis Communications/Public Safety Educational Campaign, “Sand Canyon Fire Crisis Communications Efforts”
• 2016: Multi Year Strategic Planning and Execution for the City’s, “Road Resurfacing Project”
• 2016: Special Event/Reoccurring for, “Light Up Main Street”
• 2016: Most Creative/Dollar Stretcher for the City’s, “DIVERT Task Force”
• 2015: Video Production Series, “State of the City Video”
• 2015: Internal Newsletter, “City Call”
• 2014: Video Production Series, “State of the City Video”
• 2013: Newsletter/Special Publication, “SEASONS Magazine”
• 2013: Electronic Online Newsletter, “Hike Santa Clarita”
• 2013: Marketing/Communications, “DUI Campaign”
• 2013: Crisis Communication, “Heroin Kills”
• 2013: Special Event, “Cowboy Festival”
• 2012: Electronic Video Production, “SENSES Public Service Announcement”
• 2008: City’s Public Safety Program, “Pull to the Right”
• 2008: City’s Website, “SCVSheriff.com”

AWARD OF DISTINCTION

• 2019: In-House Communications or Marketing Plan, “Innovative SCV Campaign”
• 2018: One-Time Special Event, Large Population, “Las Vegas Vigil”
• 2016: eGovernment Services, “Road Resurfacing”
• 2015: “On the Job Series”

AWARD OF MERIT

• 2016: External Publications for the City’s Quarterly Publication of SEASONS magazine
• 2015: For “State of the City” videos

CITY-COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING ASSOCIATION (3CMA)

3CMA is the nation’s premier network of local government communications. The “SAVVY” awards are presented for creative and successful programs for different divisions of Communication and Marketing.

SAVVY AWARDS

• 2020: Savvy Award for “Go Green Recycle Hero” &  “Best use of Social Media Saugus Strong Tiles”
• 2020: Most Innovative Communications for “Santa Clarita Virtual State of the City”
• 2019: Award of Excellence for “Firefighters & Puppies – Best Campaign”
• 2019: Savvy award for “Heads Up! PSA Teen Contest – Resident Participation” & “Stolen Collection – Most Innovative”
• 2019: Silver Circle award for “State of the City Newsletter – Graphic Design” & “Heads Up! PSA”
• 2018: Award of Excellence, Graphic Design and Publication, “State of the City Newsletter”
• 2018: Marketing Tools – Best Use of a Promotional Item, “I Found Sammy!”
• 2018: Communications or Marketing Plan, “Heads Up”
• 2018: Silver Circle Award – Special Event/one Time Event, “Las Vegas Vigil”
• 2017: Digital Interactive, “SantaClaritaArts.com”
• 2017: Most Innovative, “Drive.Focus.Live.”
• 2016: One-Time Special Programming, “Virtual Video Tour”
• 2015: Silver Circle Award, “On the Job Series”