City of Shakopee honored with 2024 LMC City of Excellence Award

The city of Shakopee received the League of Minnesota Cities 2024 City of Excellence Award for the 30,000+ population category Thursday at the League’s Annual Conference in Rochester. Shakopee was honored for its “Taxpayer Receipt” program.

Shakopee’s finance department began using a budget board and Polco’s Taxpayer Receipt tool to be more transparent about city finances with community members. The board explains where tax funds will be used in the upcoming fiscal year, compares Shakopee’s taxes to surrounding cities’ taxes, and shows the monthly cost of city services compared to community members’ other utility bills. The receipt tool breaks down residents’ property tax amounts into an easily readable receipt.

In 2024, the finance department took the initiative one step further by teaming up with the city’s communications department and creating a video to increase awareness about the city’s tax receipt tools. The video was viewed 15,000 times across social media platforms the week it was published.

According to the city’s award submission, City Administrator Bill Reynolds, Assistant City Administrator Chelsea Petersen, and the finance department have encountered fewer calls and visits from residents inquiring about how their tax dollars are spent since implementing the tax receipt tools.

The City of Excellence Awards are given annually by the League of Minnesota Cities in three population categories and one topical category. The awards recognize cities for outstanding programs or projects. Each winning city will receive a plaque, a check for $1,000, and recognition in League publications and promotional activities throughout the coming year.

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.