Coral Springs Wins Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

The City of Coral Springs is the first local government in the nation to receive the coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, a Presidential honor that recognizes U.S. companies for organizational performance excellence.

This is the first year non-profit organizations could apply for the award, after testing a pilot program in 2006. Of 84 total applicants, Coral Springs was one of 13 nonprofits to apply and one of only four to receive a site visit in its category. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. early next year.

The National Quality Award is named for the late Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige. The program was established by Congress in 1987 to raise awareness and reward excellence in quality management.

Organizations applying for the award undergo a rigorous evaluation by an independent board of examiners composed of private and public sector quality experts. Nine examiners spent a week with City staff members in October, evaluating the city’s business processes against seven strategic criteria, including leadership, strategic planning, customer and market focus, measurement and analysis, human resource focus, process management and results.

“The real value in applying for this award is in the rigorous evaluation process,” City Manager Mike Levinson said. “The constructive feedback from Baldrige helps us improve the way we do business. The community benefits when we deliver goods and services in the most responsive and responsible manner.”

The City’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction goes much deeper than just preparation for the Baldrige application process. In 1993, Coral Springs began using a business model that takes customer input and data analysis into consideration before mapping initiatives in the Strategic and Business Plans. The city develops process improvements while comparing results to Fortune 500 businesses and top local governments. Throughout the past 14 years, the quest for performance excellence has been guided by the principles and practices of the Florida Sterling Council and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program.

Another unique aspect of this recognition was that site visit expenses were completely underwritten by the local business community, who strongly support the city’s quality efforts.

“We have so much gratitude for our Chamber of Commerce and the many local businesses that made this site visit possible,” said Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook. “Their commitment and support is part of what makes Coral Springs an exceptional community.”

Already a two-time Florida Governor’s Sterling Award winner, Coral Springs has achieved national recognition as a leader in government management, including Money magazine’s Best Places to Live, 100 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise in 2006 and 2007, and the tenth safest city in the nation according to Morgan Quitno Press.

“We are proud to be the first local government in the nation to win the Baldrige Award," Levinson said. “We are even prouder of the business improvements and results that have earned us this most prestigious award.”

For more information, visit coralsprings.org/baldrige.