Leadership

GOAL: Foster a culture of sustainability and enhance the City’s role as a regional, national and international leader in the field.

FOCUS AREAS:

• Integrating Sustainability
• Employee Participation
• Evaluation and Benchmarking
• Community Partnerships

Awards and Recognitions

The following highlights some of the ways the City was recognized as a leader in sustainability in 2024:

• Earned Government Green Fleet Award from the National Association of Fleet Administrators for the fourth consecutive year
• Designated a Tree City USA for the 32nd consecutive year
• Received Arbor Day Foundation’s National Growth Award for the ninth consecutive year
• Received Platinum-level designation for superior public power reliability and safety from the American Public Power Association (APPA)
• Received Restoring Communities Award from the Florida Municipal Electric Association for the ninth consecutive year for exemplary power restoration and mutual aid efforts
• Designated a Smart Energy Provider by the APPA, a national recognition of the utility’s efforts to incorporate efficiencies and sustainability while providing affordable electric service
• Named the Strongest Economy in the United States by Area Development magazine
• Earned the International Economic Development Council Silver Award for Economic Development Organization of the Year and Bronze Award for Economic Equity and Inclusion
• Earned the 2024 Historic Preservation Award from the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation and the Florida Department of State for Best Practices of Archaeological Work for the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency’s work in Carr Cemetery
• Earned the 2024 Environmental Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association-Florida Chapter in the $5 – $25 million category for  Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency’s 3D-B Stormwater Facility

Neighborhood Leadership

The Neighborhood Leadership Academy trains and equips Tallahassee residents with knowledge, resources and networking opportunities to become effective neighborhood leaders. Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at how the City operates, including sessions on sustainability, resilience, clean energy, public safety and community engagement. In 2024, 19 neighborhood leaders graduated from the program. The application process for the 10-week Neighborhood Leadership Academy begins in the summer, and the program typically runs from September to November.

Sustainability Partnerships

The City continues to collaborate across state, regional and national organizations to share and learn best practices and move sustainability goals forward. Sustainability staff actively engage with the:

• Florida Sustainability Directors Network
• Southeast Sustainability Directors Network
• ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
• U.S. Green Building Council
• and more!