2025 Nominations Open in January!

The Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) Awards

Since 1999, the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) has been recognizing cities, city officials, and city employees for their contributions to the commonwealth. The annual awards program for Elected City Official of the Year, City Employee of the Year, and City Government of the Year is an opportunity to recognize the exceptional work being done by Kentucky cities and the people leading them.

The Elected City Official of the Year Award recognizes a dynamic official who demonstrates outstanding leadership and innovation. 

The City Employee of the Year Award brings recognition to an exceptional city employee who performs at a distinguished level to improve his or her local government and community. 

The KLC City Government of the Year Award recognizes a city that has done something transformational. 

LEAD Award

Ann Cline Deatherage was a lifelong public servant who served as both councilmember and mayor of the City of Carrollton. After her passing in February 2020, her family wished to endow an award through KLC to honor her legacy and the Mayor Ann C. Deatherage LEAD Award was established. 

Purpose:

The purpose of the LEAD award is to recognize Kentucky mayors whose leadership demonstrates a passion for local public service and commitment to lifelong learning. The LEAD award is specifically designed to benefit mayors from smaller cities.

The “Leadership Enrichment And Development” (LEAD) award program will benefit mayors throughout Kentucky by supporting attendance to Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) conferences and learning events. 

• The LEAD Award will cover all registration costs for KLC's next statewide event (such as the City Officials Academy (COA) or Summer Summit). 
• Winners will be recognized during the Conference & Expo. 

In addition to serving in leadership at KLC as a Board of Directors and Executive Board member, Mayor Deatherage had more continuing education hours than any city official in the state. As a result, she inspired a KLC Master’s Level training program to recognize city officials whose commitment to learning reaches an exceptional level. Her devotion to making her city a better place impressed all who knew her and had a profound impact on her community. Through the scholarship, her example will enable others to follow her lead.