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Awards and Honors
The City of Rowlett strives to achieve the highest standards in all areas of business to demonstrate our commitment to excellence. In the past several years, the City has been bestowed many awards, which are listed below.
City of Rowlett
2023
GO TEXAN designation from the Texas Department of Agriculture
Texas Economic Development Council 2022 Economic Excellence Recognition Award
2022
#8 Places with the Best Public Schools in Dallas County (Niche.com)
#66 Most Diverse Suburbs in Texas (Top 16%) (Niche.com)
#110 Best Places for Young Professionals in Texas (Top 27%) (Niche.com)
#113 Best Suburb to Raise a Family in Texas (Niche.com)
Top 10% Best Places to Buy a House in America (Niche.com)
2021
https://www.movebuddha.com/blog/mid-size-cities/ #3 Most Popular Mid-size Cities for Home Buying Opportunity - moveBuddha.com
#44 Best Small City to Start a Business (in the country) - Go.Verizon.com
2020
AARP Age-Friendly Community
2019
#8 Fastest-growing City in the Country - US Census Bureau
Certified Scenic City - Gold Level - Scenic Texas ScenicTexas.org
Top 10 City to Retire - US News and World Report
Community Engagement
2020
Second Place - Neighborhood Newsletter of the Year (Friday @ 5) awarded by Neighborhoods USA.
2017
Newsletter of the Year, awarded by Neighborhoods USA (Government Electronic Category).
Finance
2017 - Present
Texas Comptroller Traditional Finances Transparency Star Award
Texas Comptroller Debt Obligations Transparency Star Award
Texas Comptroller Contracts and Procurement Transparency Star Award
Texas Comptroller Economic Development Transparency Star Award
Texas Comptroller Public Pensions Transparency Star Award
Recognizes local government entities that provide easy online access to important financial data (this designation replaces the Leadership Circle recognition program, which was discontinued in 2016).
2004 - Present
1992 - 1999
1988 - 1990
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting
The City’s Finance Department receives this designation by The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
2004 - Present
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
Awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA), based on the City’s Annual Budget Report, the Distinguished Budget is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental budget reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
Fire Rescue
2015 - Present
Recognized Best Practices Fire Department from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association. The program evaluates a Fire Department’s compliance with over 117 Best Business Practices for Fire Departments in the State of Texas. These Best Practices were developed by Fire Service professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service to communities. Rowlett becomes the fourth department in the state of Texas to achieve this recognition!
Emergency Management
2003-Present
Storm Ready City
The City of Rowlett was one of the very first cities in Texas to receive the StormReady designation in 2002 as a community better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through meticulous planning, education and awareness. StormReady communities have experienced fewer fatalities and property damage.
CERT Excellence
The City of Rowlett has set the pace for communities around Texas as one of the first cities to implement the federal government’s initiative for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). The program has trained more than 100 CERT volunteers and has been recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for its excellence.
Library
1984 - Present
The Rowlett Public Library is an Accredited Department by the Texas State Library & Archives Commission. In addition to recognition, accreditation carries financial benefits as well as it enables the City to be eligible for the Texshare Card Program, Texshare Databases and Statewide interlibrary loan programs.
2005-Present
The Rowlett Public Library has been awarded the Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association, which recognizes the outstanding contributions made by public libraries. Success in receiving this award requires submission of an application and documentation for each of ten areas which span the library services spectrum. Award criteria ranges from marketing and collaborative efforts, to demonstrated literacy support and a summer reading program. Of the 548 public libraries and library systems in the State of Texas, Rowlett Public Library was among only 52 libraries receiving the 2017 award.
Parks & Recreation
2014 - Present
Accredited Agency - The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies
The Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accredited the City of Rowlett Parks and Recreation Department for its excellence in operation and service in 2014 and the City remains accredited presently. Being CAPRA accredited is an indication that the City’s parks and recreation department is providing high quality services and experiences to our citizens.
2000-Present
Tree City, USA
The City of Rowlett holds the Tree City USA designation developed by The National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF) for cities dedicated to conservation and environmental awareness. To become a Tree City USA, Rowlett passed a tree ordinance, organized a tree board and proclaims and celebrates an Arbor Day. The City of Rowlett’s significant efforts to earn this important distinction can be seen in its median beautification projects as well as tree plantings in area parks, greenbelts and city grounds. Rowlett was first named Tree City USA in 2000.
Police Department
2014 - Present
Recognized Law Enforcement Agency - Texas Police Chiefs Association Law Enforcement Recognition Program
The Recognition Program evaluates a Police Department’s compliance with over 166 Best Business Practices for Texas Law Enforcement. Encompassing all aspects of law enforcement operations including use of force, protection of citizen rights, vehicle pursuits, property and evidence management and patrol and investigative operations, these Best Practices were carefully developed by Texas Law Enforcement professionals to assist agencies in the efficient and effective delivery of service and the protection of individual’s rights.
Public Works
2017 - Present
American Public Works Association (APWA) Accreditation
The APWA Accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry, as contained in the APWA Public Works Management Practices Manual. The Rowlett Departments of Public Works and Development Services is the 124th agency in North America to be awarded Accreditation and was the ninth in Texas.