PHX Reporter

Maricopa County is being recognized for exceptional public service. The National Association of Counties (NACo) awarded Arizona’s most populous county 75 National Achievement Awards for designing and implementing programs that have made a measurable, positive impact on the community over the past year. The 75 NACo awards are the most the county has ever received. With 22 county departments, elected offices, and courts honored in 2024, Maricopa County is seeing nearly half of its 50 lines of business recognized for excellence.

“I’m so impressed with the quality of work happening within our organization, from criminal justice to transportation to elections,” said Chairman Jack Sellers, District 1. “What I see from our employees is a commitment to the public good, to quality of life, to helping those with barriers to employment or housing or healthcare. This wide-ranging recognition from NACo is proof of what I’ve known for a long time: Maricopa County is one of the best-run, most efficient, and most innovative governments in the United States.”

Human Services (20) and Public Health (15) received the most awards among departments reporting up through the County Manager, while the Superior Court of Maricopa County got recognition across several divisions (Adult Probation-8; Juvenile Probation-3; Judicial Branch-1). Many winning programs involved collaborations across departments or elected offices.

“Working in Maricopa County government means a chance to make a difference every day,” said County Manager Jen Pokorski. “I’m proud of our team of innovators and doers who show up each day thinking about how to make life better for others and provide great value to taxpayers.”

To see all award-winning Maricopa County programs, visit NACo’s website and search by state.