2026 Awards of Excellence
For Alaska Municipal Leaders and CommunitiesAbout the Awards
The AML Awards of Excellence are given annually to acknowledge individuals who have demonstrated ongoing dedication to their cities or boroughs and have gone above-and-beyond to make their communities great places to live, work and/or play during 2026. Now more than ever, we want to recognize our municipal leaders and the impacts they have on Alaska’s communities.
Submission Guidelines
Submission Deadline: November 2, 2026
Email questions or supporting documents to sarahk@akml.org
Who is eligible for nomination?
- Any current Alaska municipal employee or elected is eligible for individual nomination.
- Recently retired municipal employees are eligible for nomination for Municipal Employee of the Year.
- Any Alaska municipality (city or borough) is eligible for community nomination.
Who can submit a nomination for Individual Awards?
Municipalities, Associate Members, Affiliates, and AML Board Members may nominate individuals for awards. Nominations must be approved by at least two officials from the municipality/organization submitting the nomination.
Who can submit a nomination for Community Awards?
- Current municipal employees (city or borough) in the state of Alaska
- Current municipal officials (city or borough) in the State of Alaska
- AML Members, Associate Members, or Affiliates
- AML Board Members
Award Details
The AML Board of Directors will judge all entries, and the winners will be honored at the AML Municipal Awards Ceremony at the Annual Conference, Thursday, December 10th. You may nominate more than one person for awards by submitting multiple nomination forms. Please send any supporting documents by email to sarahk@akml.org
Awards for Individuals
Municipal Employee of the Year
This award recognizes a municipal employee who has demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, leadership, and innovation in their position. Must be a current (or recently retired) municipal employee.
Municipal Official of the Year
This award recognizes an elected or appointed municipal official who has demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, leadership, and innovation in their position.
Emerging Municipal Leader
This award recognizes an emerging municipal leader, their early career contributions to local government, and their potential for future success in leadership.
Vic Fischer Local Government Leadership Award
Established in 2000 by the AML Board of Directors, this award is in honor of Vic Fischer, Secretary to the Committee on Local Government of the Constitutional Convention. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant statewide impacts and demonstrated true dedication to the improvement of Alaska’s local governments and communities.
Awards for Communities
Community Resilience Award
For excellence in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from environmental, economic and social challenges.
Sustainable Communities Award
For excellence in projects relating to energy accessibility, reliability, and affordability.
Community Connection Award
For excellence in strengthening physical connectivity and accessibility, deepening community connection, or increasing interconnectedness across AK communities.
