County of Simcoe staff received accolades from council on Tuesday.
Each year, the Canadian Administration of Municipalities Association (CAMA) honours excellence in municipal administration through its annual awards programs, which celebrate local governments and their chief administrative officers and staff for creative and successful programs, projects and services.
A partnership between the Town of Innisfil, County of Simcoe and the City of Barrie — called the Growing & Leading Together program — took top spot for the 2025 CAMA Collaboration Award.
"The award celebrates innovation, environmental leadership and sustainability, inspiring workplace and the collaboration award with external organizations and municipalities,” association president Brenda Orchard said during a presentation to county council on June 10.
The criteria looks at innovation and creativity, the impact on municipal administration, how it can be transferred to other local governments, the effect on a municipality and organizations, as well as sustainability and long-term positive impacts.
This particular award, Orchard said, recognizes a partnership that has been demonstrated to have mutual benefits all around.
That partnership must have resulted in at least one of the following outcomes: significant improvement in service to both partners, the development of a new or improved process, or the improvement of the quality of life for residents.
“I know you are proud of your staff every day, but what is special about these awards is they are shared across the country with other municipalities of all different sizes," said Orchard.
"The excellent, incredible work your staff have done has gone on to inspire other municipalities that will emulate the work they’ve done. It’s very special," she added.
The initiative came about after the Town of Innisfil proposed a partnership with the county and the City of Barrie to join forces on a mentorship program.
In November 2024, a week-long leadership event was held, which included more than 250 people from across the region.
The event was designed to address “extraordinary conditions” that local leaders are navigating today, as well as to provide a unique opportunity to network with others.
