The city of Phoenix has received runner-up recognition for the 2005 City Cultural Diversity Award by the National League of Cities - National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO) for its “Excellence in Diversity: The city of Phoenix Diversity Performance Achievement Program.”

As the runner-up in the population category of more than 400,001, Phoenix was honored for setting a strong example of how a city can improve and promote cultural diversity in its community. The program was recognized for its commitment to valuing the diversity of the Phoenix workforce and for exemplary service delivery to the diverse cultures in its community.

District 2 Councilwoman Peggy Neely accepted the award on behalf of the city at the “Celebrate Diversity” breakfast at the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C.

“It is a great honor for the city to receive national recognition for its Diversity Performance Achievement Program,” said Neely. “Our city staff has spent an extraordinary amount of energy and resources to strengthen its commitment to diversity.”

City elected officials, city management, department heads and staff have heightened city diversity efforts through the citywide Diversity Performance Achievement Program, a performance-based appraisal system to measure, track and reward diversity achievements. The city’s historical commitment to diversity is reflected in its workforce and in the vast array of unique policies, programs, services and celebrations developed over the past 25 years.

“The fact that Phoenix has received the City Cultural Diversity Award five times since 1994 speaks for itself,” said District 8 Councilman Michael Johnson. “Our dedication to continuous improvement and success in the area of diversity demonstrates that Phoenix is a leader in the field.”

A diversity implementation team evaluates progress in workforce diversity recruitment, selection, promotion, retention and training. The Performance Achievement Program is an annual Management by Objectives system where pay increases for managers and executives are tied to performance results. A number of program accomplishments are that city departments were successful in creating innovative, flexible hiring processes; promoting equal treatment and making the city more diversity friendly; and enhancing diversity advertising and outreach.

For information, call 602-262-7716.