Harker Heights listed as award finalist by Texas Municipal League

Staff Report

Two concierge volunteers, Kylee Sharp Gonzales, left, and John Footman, right, greet a visitor to City Hall in this photo from July 2022.  Courtesy Photo

The city of Harker Heights was recognized at the Texas Municipal League conference last week as a finalist for the 2023 Municipal Excellence Award, according to a news release from Harker Heights.

The award was for communication programs in cities with a population of more than 25,000.

“We are super excited about the fruit produced by this new volunteer concierge program,” City Manager David Mitchell said in a statement. “It provides our citizens and visitors to City Hall with a friendly face to assist them in locating the department they need. I personally would like to thank our volunteers who give us countless hours in service to their fellow man.”

The city was also acknowledged by TML for its concierge services.

The TML Excellence Award is given out to municipalities for achievements in municipal government. The two categories are for cities of more than 25,000 and cities with less that 25,000.

Harker Heights has an estimated population of 35,000 residents.

Other than communications, the four other categories in which cities can win awards are city spirit, public safety, public works and management innovations.

The TML conference was held in Dallas Oct. 4-6. The goal of the conference was to give local leaders a chance to learn more about government and how to effectively govern.

More than 3,000 city officials attended the conference this year.