Montgomery County receives six Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.
Each year, NACo's Achievement Awards are given in 18 categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice and public safety, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and more. Launched in 1970, the program is designed to recognize innovation in county government. Each nominated program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.
In 2025, Montgomery County earned NACo Achievement Awards for the following six programs.
- Public Service Announcement: Voting in the 2024 Election - Civic Education and Public Information Category
- Sensory Museum - Libraries Category
- Montgomery County Historic Courthouse Bell Restoration - Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation Category
- Volunteer Montgomery - Volunteers Category
- Website Refresh of montva.com - Civic Education and Public Information Category
- Purricane Prep Pawty - Community and Economic Development Category
Below is a brief overview of each of the six programs and activities for which Montgomery County received an award. Learn more about NACo.
Public Service Announcement: Voting in the 2024 Election
Each election season, the Montgomery County Office of Elections provides information to voters including how to register, where to vote early, as well as important dates and deadlines. Prior to the 2024 Presidential Election, the Office of Elections had moved locations and a new early-voting satellite location was approved. A Public Service Announcement podcast was produced due to these two significant changes, a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot, and general questions about voting.
Given the changes related to the voting opportunities for our citizens and the overall focus on the 2024 election, staff members wanted to utilize as many communication vehicles as possible to share the information with Montgomery County citizens. In addition to the website, social media, and Office of Elections staff, and printed materials, the PSA podcast served as yet another factual and approachable method for citizens to obtain pertinent election information. Listen to the podcast here: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fkr2z-16c117e
Sensory Museum
The Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library launched a Sensory Museum in 2023. The Sensory Museum program is typically held after hours in the library’s community room, but it has also been successful during regular operating hours. In order to best accommodate the needs of the participants, the lights are dimmed to reduce overstimulation from fluorescent lights and calming music is played while utilizing the overhead projector with visually stimulating images. Around the room, patrons can visit stations containing different tactile or visual sensory experiences such as water beads, rice bins, Zen gardens, kinetic sand, glow painting with black lights, fiber optic and plasma ball lamps, water painting, and a sensory light projector in a tent that shines calming patterns and colors of light onto the canopy of the tent. Occasionally, local therapy dogs participate in the program as well. As they leave, the Sensory Museum program participants may choose a fidget toy as a tool to use in stressful or overwhelming situations.
Patrons of all ages have enjoyed this program, remarking that it has been very helpful for their neurodivergent teens and selves. Parents and caregivers are excited about the MFRL Sensory Museum program, often asking about the materials used so they may replicate some of the tools in their homes to help with regulation after learning the benefits of sensory play. No matter the age, sensory play can bring out a playful side in someone and help them unwind. Due to the positive response to the Sensory Museum, it has been implemented on a semi-regular basis throughout all branches of the MFRL system.
Montgomery County Historic Courthouse Bell Restoration
After discovering what appeared to be a historic artifact in a storage space of the Montgomery County Courthouse, a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office employee led an initiative to restore it and give it a place of honor. On March 15, 2022, several Montgomery County staff members gathered to discuss the artifact – what is believed to be the original courthouse bell dating back to the 1700s – and make a plan to restore it. The resulting bell restoration committee consisted of Montgomery County employees, elected officials, Montgomery Museum of Arts and History employees, and citizens.
The restored bell found a new permanent home in the lobby of the Montgomery County Courthouse. Prior to its final resting place in a newly designed display cabinet, members of the Montgomery County’s Public Relations and Community Engagement team recording the sound of the bell. In addition, the team documented the project by recording a podcast, which can be found here: montva.com/mcva250.
Volunteer Montgomery
The nation may be experiencing a shortage in volunteers, but one volunteer organization in Montgomery County has witnessed a significant increase in individuals wanting to volunteer to give back to their community. From April 2023 to April 2025, the number of volunteers with Volunteer Montgomery grew by 118 percent.
With a mission to strengthen the Montgomery County community by empowering volunteers to utilize their time and skills, Volunteer Montgomery continues to grow and thrive, which has a direct positive impact on the approximately 100,000 citizens in Montgomery County. Volunteer opportunities include assisting area non-profit organizations, visiting nursing homes, bake sales and specialized events throughout the year. From April 2023 to April 2025, 325 active volunteers gave back to Montgomery County in a significant way. In the current fiscal year, volunteers are on track to log 35,750 volunteer hours to be exact, which translates to a monetary value of about $804,132.
Website Refresh of montva.com
The overarching goal for revamping Montgomery County’s public website (montva.com) was to put citizens’ needs first by enhancing the user experience. Months of evaluation and planning resulted in the creation of a mobile-friendly website, featuring an icon-based navigation on the home page; links to statistically popular topics; a topic-based page for departments and services; an audience-based navigation for businesses, residents, and visitors; a general inquiries form; and a reduction of documents housed on the site.
The main goal was to create a user-friendly, ADA compliant, and mobile friendly website for citizens. The bulk of this project was completed internally, saving the County a significant amount of money. The revamped website was designed based current web analytics and feedback from all County departments and offices with a citizen-first mindset.
Purricane Prep Pawty
Annually more than 500 kittens are brought to the Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center. The ACAC prepares to care for kittens by inviting the public to attend a supply donations event. For 2024, the former “Kitten Shower” event was revamped as a "Purricane Prep Pawty" for the imminent flood of kittens that would make landfall at the center. This event resulted in hundreds of pounds of donated kitten food, litter, and more.
The Animal Care and Adoption Center strives to find creative and innovative ways to raise both awareness and funding for the un-homed animals in our community. They strive for a 95%+ live release rate annually. The minimal staff have huge hearts and imaginations all in the name of taking care of the animals that find themselves in their care. The "Purricane Prep Pawty" is just one creative example of what the staff does to deal with challenges they face like the influx of kittens each spring.