Waite Park Mayor Rick Miller honored with LMC’s top award for elected officials

(June 28, 2024 – St. Paul, MN) Waite Park Mayor Rick Miller was named the League of Minnesota Cities’ 2024 C.C. Ludwig Award recipient Thursday at the League’s Annual Conference in Rochester. The C.C. Ludwig Award is the League’s top honor for elected officials.

Miller first served as Waite Park’s mayor from 1996-2001 and began his current term in 2007 when he was reelected as a write-in candidate. Throughout his career, Miller has made extensive contributions to municipal government and has served with an unwavering commitment to bettering his community.

Over the past three decades, Miller has helped cities earn hotel licensing, authorized regional sales tax between the six St. Cloud regional cities, and secured state and federal funding for regional road projects. Additionally, Miller helped spearhead the construction of the Ledge Amphitheater and fostered the creation of the Babe Ruth Baseball Association.

“(Miller’s) initiatives have left a lasting imprint not only on the Waite Park community but on communities throughout Minnesota,” Waite Park City Administrator Shaunna Johnson said in Miller’s award application. “Mayor Miller’s extensive involvement in a multitude of projects demonstrates his unwavering commitment to enhancing municipal government and the quality of life for residents statewide.”

Miller also serves on the Metro Bus Board of Commissioners, the Area Planning Organization, and the Waite Park Legion Club, and is a Waite Park Moose Club member. Previously, Miller served on Waite Park’s police reserve, rescue squad, and fire department, and helped start the city’s first parks board during his first term as mayor.

The C.C. Ludwig Award is named for a former League executive director and is the League’s highest award for elected officials. Established in 1962, the award is presented annually to recognize outstanding service. Recipients are chosen for their vision, statesmanship, and commitment to the public good.

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.