Each year the Municipal League presents up to nine awards (outlined below). In 2010, the Civic Awards will be presented as Centennial Awards at our Centennial Anniversary Dinner in March. Unlike our awards that recognize civic achievement over the previous year, the Centennial Civic Awards will celebrate individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community over many years. 2010 award categories are: Citizen of the Year, Public Official of the Year, Organization or Business of the Year and the Doug Mason Award (someone 35 or younger).

• Citizen of the Year
  A private citizen, including one who has served in an appointive office or on a commission without compensation, who has made the most outstanding contribution to the cause of good government or civic betterment.
• Public Official of the Year
  The elected or appointed public official or department head who, in addition to routine service, has brought to the office one or more outstanding innovations or contributions.
• Business of the Year and Organization of the Year (two awards)
  The business or organization that has made the most outstanding contribution(s) to the community.

• Doug Mason Memorial
  A person, age 35 or under, who during the previous year made a special contribution to the people of King County in any of the following areas: environmental protection and preservation, agricultural preservation, transportation, human services, housing, good government, ethics in politics, or effective government administration.

• Public Employee of the Year
  A civic servant who, as an employee of some public body, has brought to the particular service one or more outstanding innovations or constructive programs.
• Governmental News Reporting of the Year
  The individual, publisher, or station that has provided the most outstanding news reporting on governmental issues or public affairs.
• James R. Ellis Regional Leadership
  The individual or organization who, through appointed, elected, commissioned, or volunteer service, has contributed significant leadership to the region in the examination of regional public policy problems and solutions.
• Warren G. Magnuson Memorial
  An individual who, while serving in a public office other than local government, has made a significant contribution to the enhancement of local government. 

Civic Award recipients by year