Apple Valley City Administrator Tom Lawell honored with 2024 LMC Leadership Award

Apple Valley City Administrator Tom Lawell was named the League of Minnesota Cities’ 2024 James F. Miller Leadership Award recipient Thursday at the League’s Annual Conference in Rochester.

Lawell became Apple Valley’s city administrator in 1999 and has brought expertise in economic planning, strategic planning, intergovernmental relations, financial management, human resources, transportation, and public safety while serving the city. Throughout his career, he has driven the departments he leads toward fiscal stability, enhanced collaboration, and rigorous accountability.

Lawell’s financial guidance has helped fortify Apple Valley’s tax base and helped the city earn triple-A bond ratings from Moody’s Investors Service and Standard and Poor’s. Beyond Apple Valley, Lawell has been instrumental in empowering cities throughout Minnesota to establish robust financial infrastructures and has been an influential member of the League’s Improving Fiscal Futures Legislative Policy Committee for over two decades.

Under Lawell’s leadership, Apple Valley’s population has expanded from 45,000 to over 56,500, and the city has gained over 2,650 housing units. During his tenure, Apple Valley saw the rise of key infrastructure such as the city’s municipal center, Apple Valley Transit Station, Fire Station No. 3, and Eastview High School.

Lawell played an integral role in ensuring Apple Valley took part in the area’s coordinated response program, in which city police officers, Dakota County Social Services, and crisis intervention teams work together to respond to crisis incidents.

Lawell is a member of the International City/County Managers Association, Minnesota City/County Managers Association, and Metro Area Managers Association, and serves as chair of the Dakota County Managers Association, Metro Cities’ Municipal Revenues Policy Committee, and the Municipal Legislative Commission’s Operating Committee.

The Leadership Award is the League’s highest honor for appointed city officials and is given annually to recognize outstanding service. It is named for former League executive director James F. Miller, who retired in 2015 after 22 years of service.

The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership organization dedicated to helping cities throughout Minnesota build quality communities through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action. The League serves over 830 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management, and other services.