Mayor to Present February 2025 Award of Excellence
Published on June 09, 2025
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today will present the Mayor’s Award of Excellence for February 2025 to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator James Munyon from the Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department. The award will be presented at 3 p.m. at the beginning of the City Council meeting at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street. The awards recognize City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to Lincoln.
Munyon was nominated by Facilities Operations Coordinator Tyler Cruthers of the Northeast Water Resource Recovery Facility in the category of education and lifelong learning for his work to train new employees and development of training materials.
“His willingness to go above and beyond, coupled with his passion for education and mentorship, has made a lasting impact on both his colleagues and the quality of our operations,” Cruthers wrote in his nomination. “His work ensures that our team not only meets but exceeds the standards of our vital industry, setting a benchmark for excellence that inspires us all.”
The categories in which employees can be nominated are:
- Community Engagement – Fostering community member involvement and participation in local governance
- Sustainability and Resilience – Promoting environmental stewardship and strengthening the City’s sustainability efforts
- Inclusion and Belonging – Advancing equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging within City government and our community
- Public Health and Safety – Enhancing public health, safety, and emergency preparedness
- Economic Opportunity – Supporting local businesses, workforce development, and economic growth
- Education and Lifelong Learning – Expanding educational opportunities and promoting lifelong learning
- Civic Innovation – Creating and implementing new solutions that improve municipal services
- Youth Empowerment – Encouraging young leaders and increasing youth involvement in the community
- Cultural Vitality – Enriching Lincoln’s cultural landscape through the arts, historic preservation, and storytelling
- Fiscal Stewardship – Demonstrating exemplary management of public resources through efficiency and accountability
- Customer Service Excellence – Providing outstanding service to residents and enhancing their experience with City services
- Valor and Bravery – Displaying extraordinary courage and dedication in the line of duty
Consideration also may be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee’s job description. All City employees are eligible for the award except for elected and appointed officials.
Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates, and the public. Nomination forms are available at lincoln.ne.gov/awardofexcellence or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Human Resources Department, which oversees the awards program.
All nominations are considered by the Mayor’s Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $100 gift certificate, a day off with pay and a certificate. All monthly winners and nominees are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $500 gift certificate, two days off with pay and a plaque.