LTU Receives Awards for Community Engagement and Communications
Published on October 20, 2025
Boling Named WEF 2025 Fellow
Lincoln Transportation and Utilities (LTU) today announced it has received two awards recognizing its efforts to communicate and engage Lincoln community members. In addition, Todd Boling, LTU Superintendent of Water Resource Recovery Facilities, was named a 2025 Fellow by the Water Environment Federation for his leadership in the water sector.
The awards are as follows:
Educare Champions Award
LTU is one of several organizations recognized this year with the Educare Champions Award in the volunteer category for its participation in a year-long educational series at Educare of Lincoln.
Educare of Lincoln, 3435 N. 14th St., is a research-based early childhood education program in the Belmont neighborhood of north Lincoln that prepares young children and their families, primarily from under-resourced communities, for school and life.
LTU educators introduced students to large construction equipment and provided hands-on activities to help students understand the work of the department. The program reached more than 115 students and is designed to spark interest in transportation and utility careers while teaching important safety and environmental concepts.
“Participating in this year-long educational series has been both fun and exciting for our team,” said Liz Elliott, LTU Director. “It was a wonderful opportunity to share our work with young learners, engage them in hands-on activities, and inspire curiosity about transportation and utilities in our community.”
Lincoln on the Move Annual Report
LTU received the Savvy Award for its 2024 Lincoln on the Move Annual Report from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) in September 2025. The award is the top honor in the Annual Report category for cities with populations of 275,000 and above.
“This recognition highlights our team’s efforts to continuously keep our community informed and engaged while investing in Lincoln’s streets,” said Erika Hill, Communications and Community Engagement Manager. “The annual report is just one way we elevate the importance of transparency as we continue to build safer, stronger neighborhoods in all quadrants of the city.”
LTU partnered with JEO Consulting Group to create the interactive, web-based report, which featured before-and-after photos, project maps, videos, and simplified funding breakdowns so all residents could see how their tax dollars were invested. Since the program’s launch, Lincoln on the Move has funded 66 street projects across all four quadrants of the city, boosting the City’s transportation budget by 25%.
The 2024 Lincoln on the Move Annual Report is available at lincoln.ne.gov/LOTM/AnnualReport.
Water Environment Federation Fellow
Todd Boling, Superintendent of Water Resource Recovery Facilities at LTU, was named a 2025 Fellow by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) for his leadership in the water sector. Nominated by his colleagues, he is one of only 15 Fellows selected worldwide for 2025.
The WEF Fellows program recognizes members who demonstrate outstanding achievement and make a lasting impact on the water sector. Fellows are honored for professional excellence, leadership, and contributions to protecting and advancing the global water environment, including education, operations, regulation, research, and utility management.
Boling has advanced wastewater education and professional development through his leadership in WEF training initiatives, the House of Delegates, and several committees. Currently serving as Chair of WEF’s Constitution and Bylaws Committee, he is recognized for his lasting impact on operator training, organizational leadership, and industry collaboration.
"Being nominated for the WEF Fellows Award is incredibly humbling," Boling said. "I sincerely thank those who nominated me. It means a great deal to be seen and supported by peers I deeply respect. This recognition is not just about me; it reflects the people I have been fortunate to work alongside, learn from, and grow with."
Boling has 44 years of experience in public service in wastewater, including six and a half years at LTU.
“Todd’s leadership in water resource recovery sets a high standard for public service,” said Steve Owen, Assistant Director of Utilities. “His work not only protects our community’s health and environment but also inspires colleagues and future water resource professionals.”