Awards and Accolades
The City of Janesville is committed to excellence in every area. Over the years, our team has achieved nationally recognized achievements in the areas of environment, safety, and fiscal transparency.
Nationally Top Tap:
Nationally Top Tap: The Janesville Water Utility was recognized with the Best Tasting Water Award at the fall conference of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Wisconsin Chapter last year. As a result, the utility was invited to represent of Wisconsin at the AWWA National Conference in California this week. Utility staff was proud to accept the first-place trophy for the People's Choice Award for providing the best-tasting water as determined by conference attendees! (June 2024)
Tree City USA: 18th Year
Tree City USA: Wisconsin’s Park Place was named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the twentieth year running. Janesville, which prides itself on its parks, has received this special designation every year since 2004. According to a spokesperson for the Arbor Day Foundation, “Janesville achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.” Learn more about the City's tree programs here. (April 2024)
Financial Storytelling:
Financial Storytelling: The Governmental Finance Officer's Association awarded the City of Janesville with the organization's Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) Award for the City’s 2022 PAFR. This marked the fifth consecutive year the City has received this award. The PAFR is a user-friendly annual companion to the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and summarizes financial information in a format that is accessible to the general public. Municipalities are not required to create a PAFR but the City makes it a priority to maintain an accountable, accessible, and transparent government for its stakeholders. (March 2024)
38 Years of Fiscal Transparency
30 Years of Excellence in Financial Reporting: The 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report was recognized by the Governmental Finance Officer's Association with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award marks the 30th straight year the City of Janesville has received this distinction. This certificate is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. (January 2024)
A Bird City Community for 11th Straight Year:
A Bird City Community for 11th Straight Year: The City of Janesville has been recognized for sustaining flight for 11 years as a Bird City Community as recognized by Bird City Wisconsin. The mission of Bird City Wisconsin is "Making our communities healthy for birds...and people". The local goal is to increase the healthy habitat for birds and to decrease the hazards they face. Communities that demonstrate how they work to improve bird habitats, manage woodlands, limit hazards to birds, and educate their citizens about birds and environmental health are eligible for this designation. Learn more about Janesville's Bird City program here. (December 2023)
JATV Receives Several Awards at Statewide Media Festival.
Staff from JATV Media Services (JATV) attended the 2022 Wisconsin Community Media's Media Fest and Annual Conference in Madison and accepted several awards for the station's 2021 programming. These accolades included three Awards of Merit and two Awards of Achievement. The public may view these award-winning programs and an extensive JATV programming archive on the station's YouTube page. (May 2022)
Janesville East Town Square Named Statewide Project of the Year.
The American Public Works Association-Wisconsin Chapter announced that it had awarded the City's Janesville East Town Square with its 2022 Project of the Year. The City is proud to accept yet another recognition for award-winning downtown Janesville. This honor acknowledges the strong alliance between the City and its partners to complete the project effectively and efficiently. A part of the ARISE Plan, it is the second APWA project award for the Janesville Town Square. (May 2022)
City Golf Courses Receive National Recognition.
During the National Golf Foundation's 20th Annual GolfSAT Customer Satisfaction Awards, the City's Riverside Golf Course and Blackhawk Golf Course placed second and third nationally in the Top Standard & Value Courses category. The awards noted the facilities for having exceptional overall customer golf experience, course conditions, and service while maintaining affordable pricing. The City thanks KemperSports, manager of Janesville Golf Courses, for their continued partnership and commitment to excellence. Additional information on the facilities is available at www.golfjanesville.com. (April 2022)
Recreation Division Accepted Into USA Swimming Foundation Provider Network.
After reviewing its curriculum, the USA Swimming Foundation has accepted the Janesville Recreation Division into its network of authorized swim lesson providers. This acceptance signifies that the City's swim lessons meet or exceed industry best practices, utilize trained instructors, and have a low student-to-teacher ratio. The Janesville Recreation Division also provides free and reduced swim lessons and performs targeted outreach to at-risk communities. Learn more about the USA Swimming Foundation on their website. (January 2022)
HPL Named 2021 Educator of the Year.
The Hedberg Public Library (HPL) received a community honor when Forward Janesville, Inc. (FJI) announced they had selected the library as their 2021 Educator of the Year. FJI presents the award annually to an individual or group who has actively encouraged partnerships between the business and educational communities. This distinction recognizes the library's efforts towards training, collaboration, and advocacy for education. In 2021, over 15,000 people of all ages attended library classes and programs. Learn more about the HPL's educational offerings on their website. (December 2021)
