The Excellence Awards program, which began in 1993, recognizes cities that utilize innovative problem solving, excellence in management, citizen participation and community partnerships to provide increased services and a better quality of life for residents. The competition is divided into two population categories: under 10,000 and over 10,000. Within each population category, cities can vie for awards in City Spirit, Community Health, Economic Development & Infrastructure, Public Safety and Youth in Action. Judges also select one application as the Best Overall.

Communities from across Mississippi were recognized for innovative projects that strengthened public safety, expanded recreational opportunities, supported workforce development, improved infrastructure, promoted healthy living and empowered youth to become active community leaders.

The 2026 Excellence Awards winners are as follows:

Best Overall
City of Brandon
“Creating an Outdoor Experience for all Ages”

City Spirit Over 10,000
City of Ridgeland
“Inaugural Ridgeland Pecan Festival”

City Spirit Under 10,000
Town of Taylorsville
“Home For Christmas- Celebrating 125 Years”

Community Health Over 10,000
City of Clinton
“Living Young Program”

Community Health Under 10,000
Town of Mantee
“Mantee Walking Track”

Economic Development & Infrastructure Over 10,000
City of Natchez
“Building Trades Program”

Economic Development & Infrastructure Under 10,000
Town of Edwards
“Water Treatment System”

Public Safety Over 10,000
City of Oxford
“Faster Response, Safer City: Oxford’s Unified Winter Storm Operations Model”

Public Safety Under 10,000
City of Amory
“Amory Fire Department Jr. Academy”

Youth In Action Over 10,000
City of Gulfport
“Gulfport Student Public Safety Initiative”

Youth In Action Under 10,000
City of Richland
“Richland Mayor’s Youth Council- Operation Wishlist”

Click below to read about all of our 2026 Excellence Awards winners.

Each year at the Annual Conference, MML recognizes municipal officials who have served for 20 years of more. These officials have dedicated their lives to serving their communities, often times in addition to a full time career. We applaud their devout dedication to their communities!

Congratulations to our 2026 Hall of Fame inductees.

Mayor Jerry A. Flowers, Winona

Alderwoman Jessie M. Gilmore, Verona

Alderman Billy J. McCune, Union

Alderwoman Lenora Nunnery Morgan, Liberty

Mayor Steve Moss, Thaxton

Mayor Donald R. Pace, Kossuth

Alderman-at-Large Brenda Spurgon, Verona

Alderman Harold Ward, Mound Bayou

Mayor Bobby Williams, Verona

Congratulations to our inaugural class of CMO 500 Club inductees! At this year's Annual Conference, we recognized municipal officials who have surpassed the three levels of accreditation within the CMO program and have earned more than 500 hours of CMO education credits. We honor these local officials for their outstanding dedication to their communities and citizens.

2026 Inductees:

Alderman Henry Daniel, Kosciusko

Alderman Lester Magee, Collins

Mayor Patti Pettit, Woodland

MML HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The MML High School Scholarship Program provides three scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each for high school seniors in Mississippi who plan to attend an accredited community college or university in Mississippi. 

The Mississippi Power Scholarship is open to all high school seniors in Mississippi Power’s service area and is co-sponsored by the MML and Mississippi Power Company.

The Limited Scholarship is open to children or grandchildren of employees or elected officials of Mississippi municipalities and to high school seniors working part-time for a member municipality of the Mississippi Municipal League and is co-sponsored by Phelps Dunbar and the MML.

The Mississippi Municipal Service Company Scholarship is sponsored by the Mississippi Municipal Service Company and is open to children or grandchildren of employees or elected officials of Mississippi municipalities that are members of the MMSC Liability Plan or the Workers Compensation Group.

Applicants may only apply for one scholarship and must submit a 2,000-word essay entitled “From the Classroom to City Hall: How Youth Voices Can Shape Local Government”.

Congratulations to our 2026 scholarship recipients:

General:
Kyle Walter Weathers
Parents: Brad & Kristina Weathers
Town of Liberty

MML Limited:
Colin Miller
Parents: Wayne & Jennifer Miller
City of Gulfport

MMSC Limited:
Sawyer W. Scott
Parents: Josh & Tasha Scott
Town of Meadville