Help pick the 2025 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence winners

May 7, 2025

By Cal Cities Staff

Cal Cities needs your help picking the 2025 Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program winners! The program honors the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions made by city governments to improve services and residents’ quality of life. Winners are recognized at the Cal Cities Annual Conference and Expo, Western City magazine, a statewide press release, Cal Cities’ website, and presentations made at city council meetings.

Volunteer judges are vital to the success of the program, which brings positive attention to cities and provides opportunities for city officials to learn from one another.

This year, Cal Cities is recruiting 66 volunteers to serve as judges for 11 categories. Once selected, judges will receive login credentials for the Helen Putnam web portal, where they can access the award applications and submit scores. Juries will convene in June via Zoom for a short meeting after reviewing the applications to determine the winners.

To serve as a judge — and to get an early look at some great innovations you can use in your city — email Melissa Tualla the jury you’d like to serve on by May 16. Award categories include:

Community Services and Economic Development; meets June 10 at 10 a.m.
Economic Development through the Arts; meets June 10 at 11 a.m.
Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, & Community Involvement; meets June 10 at 1 p.m.
Health and Wellness Programs; meets June 10 at 2 p.m.
Housing Programs and Innovations; meets June 10 at 3 p.m.
Intergovernmental Collaboration; meets June 11 at 9 a.m.
Internal Administration; meets June 11 at 10 a.m.
Planning and Environmental Quality; meets June 11 at 11 a.m.
Public Safety; meets June 11 at 1 p.m.
Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation; meets June 11 at 2 p.m.
Ruth Vreeland Award, Engaging Youth in City Government; meets June 11 at 3 p.m.

Please do not volunteer for categories your city entered. For questions, email Melissa Tualla.