The Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan and nonprofit independent research group, announced its 2020 Salute to Local Government award winners, including the Palmyra Public Safety Department in Jefferson County.
“We are pleased to honor a very deserving group of governments and public sector leaders for their innovation, collaboration, and excellence, especially during what has been an historically challenging year,” Forum President Rob Henken said.
The 28th Annual Salute celebrates the benefits that public sector ingenuity and excellence bring to taxpayers and communities throughout Wisconsin.
Award categories recognize local governments and school districts for innovative problem-solving, effective use of technology, partnership, and cooperation, as well as individuals in the public sector for excellence and lifetime achievement.
Palmyra Public Safety, one of 11 state agencies recognized, was awarded for its innovative approach to problem solving.
Newly added this year were two award categories that highlight the unprecedented pandemic-related challenges facing local governments and school districts across the state.
“Given the extraordinary demands the COVID-19 outbreak continues to place on local governments and school districts, as well as the increased hours worked and risks taken by public sector workers every day, we felt the least we could do is honor two examples of outstanding effort that reflect the many public servants who are rising to the occasion,” Henken said.
Previously the Salute has been an in-person event held during the summer. Due to COVID-19, this event was reimagined and will be held in a virtual format on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at noon.
As for Palmyra Public Safety, according to the news release, its innovative approach to helping citizens in multiple ways.
What if you called 911 and nobody came? As in many communities, this was a very real concern for the citizens of Palmyra. The village’s solution was to create a Public Safety Department employing full-time public safety officers cross-trained in law enforcement, firefighting and EMS to supplement Fire Rescue paid on call responders,” Wisconsin Policy Forum’s award description reads.
“The department implemented strategies that enhanced teamwork and improved employee retention, leading to greatly improved outcomes within budgetary limitations – and providing a framework that could be emulated by other rural communities.”
The 28th annual Salute to Local Government is sponsored by Baker Tilly, Bader Philanthropies, BMO Harris Bank, Ehlers, Herb Kohl Philanthropies, League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Northwestern Mutual, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Quarles & Brady LLP, Veolia, and We Energies.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum is the state’s leading source of nonpartisan, independent research on state and local public policy. As a nonprofit, our research is supported by members including hundreds of corporations, nonprofits, local governments, school districts, and individuals. Visit wispolicyforum.org to learn more and see a list of other award recipients.
