California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence

The community and city collaborated to build a much-needed park.

Training and mentoring employees on the job and investing in their growth saves time and money.

A collaborative effort helps keep kids on track.

Students become stewards of the land and water.

Concerned residents volunteered to implement a program to mitigate the drought’s impact.

First Weekend Palm Desert helps increase the city’s tax revenues and makes it a regional center for the arts by drawing crowds to lively events from November through May.

The city took legal action to help property owners effect change and address the shootings, illegal drug sales, traffic and other problems that plagued the complex.

After years of fiscal challenges, the city implemented innovative programs to boost efficiency and accountability.