North Port earns state awards, certification in communications

Published on May 20, 2024

NORTH PORT, FL - The City of North Port and the North Port Police Department have once again achieved the Certificate of Excellence in Government Communications from the Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FMCA), and the City's Communications Division earned two statewide awards from the professional organization.

This is the second straight year the City and NPPD have been awarded the Certificate of Excellence, which recognizes those local governments and agencies whose communications staff have established and are utilizing different tools, resources and technology to effectively and efficiently communicate with their residents. 

“In an era where communication channels are constantly evolving, it’s imperative for local governments to adapt to disseminate information to their residents effectively,” said FMCA President Kevin Hogencamp, Deputy City Manager for the City of Atlantic Beach. “Achieving the Certificate of Excellence in Government Communications highlights municipal communications teams’ commitment to leveraging diverse tools and technologies to effectively engage and inform their communities.”

The Certificate of Excellence in Government Communications Program also includes certificates for individual local government communicators who demonstrate exemplary work, training and participation in FMCA programming, including ethics courses and professional development. Three City employees – Police Chief of Staff/Public Information Officer Josh Taylor, Deputy Communications Manager Madison Ingalls and Communications Manager/PIO Jason Bartolone – earned their individual certificates this year.

The City also earned 2024 Outstanding Awards in two categories, as selected by a judging panel of communications peers from other Florida cities or towns:

• Annual Report, for "A Pathway Forward," a digital publication highlighting the City's achievements in Fiscal Year 2022-23 and the first citywide annual report North Port has produced (watch the award video here)
• Communications Plan, for its annual communications strategy (watch the award video here)

"These awards demonstrate North Port's commitment to the highest levels of professionalism and expertise in our communications with the public," Bartolone said. "We are honored to be recognized among the top communications teams and professionals in the state." 

For more information on the FMCA Certification Program and the 2024 Outstanding Award winners, visit fmcaonline.com.