St. Johns County has recently been distinguished with a Certificate of Excellence in Government Communication. The accolade, handed out by the Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FMCA), places the county's communication efforts into a spotlight shared by only a handful of Florida governments - 16 to be exact. FMCA, which serves as a hub for communications professionals across Florida's cities, towns, and villages, recognized St. Johns County for its exceptional use of various tools, resources, and technology in keeping its residents informed and engaged, as announced on their official website.
"This award is a team achievement for our Office of Public Affairs, and all the communicators and collaborators in the county who work together to create, cultivate, and communicate within our community," were the words of Wayne Larson, the Director of Public Affairs for the county, which were located through an investigation into their use of diverse communication approaches. His statement points to a collective effort that transcends individual accolade, celebrating the synergistic spirit of his team. Since September 2024, the county has not only snagged this recent honor but has also garnered two national awards for its "Get Hooked" anti-litter campaign from the City-County Communications & Marketing Associationx, as per the St. Johns County's announcement.
With an increasing demand for multifaceted news consumption, FMCA President Lizzy Kelley underscores the vital need for local governments to adeptly navigate the diverse channels through which Floridians get their news. "The Certificate of Excellence in Government Communications honors municipal communications offices that demonstrate leadership in developing and leveraging diverse tools to engage and inform their communities," said Kelley, Marketing and Public Information Manager for the City of Tallahassee, detailing the rationale behind the award, according to the St. Johns County.
Larson, speaking on the value of trust within the community, indicated the importance of these recognitions from communication peers in building public confidence. Working around the clock, Larson told their official website in an interview that, "Community trust is one of the six priorities of the county's strategic plan, and we hope that earning these acknowledgments from our communications peers demonstrates that we are enhancing community trust through proactive communication to foster engagement and build an environment of public participation."
