The City of Hillsboro recognizes that meaningful employee recognition strengthens organizational culture, reinforces desired behaviors, and supports the City’s mission, values, and commitment to safety. This policy establishes two formal recognition programs to acknowledge employees and volunteer firefighters who demonstrate exceptional service, alignment with City values, and exemplary safety practices. The MVP (Mission, Values, and Purpose) Recognition and Safety Star Recognition program will be administered by the rules and criteria found in this policy.
The City’s recognition programs are guided by the following principles:
• Recognition should reinforce behaviors aligned with the City’s mission, vision, and values as stated in the city’s strategic plan.
• Recognition should be fair, transparent, and accessible to all eligible individuals.
• Recognition should be meaningful, visible, and timely.
• Recognition programs should balance frequency with prestige to maintain impact.
MVP (Mission, Values, and Purpose) Recognition Program
The MVP Recognition Program honors individuals who exemplify the City of Hillsboro’s mission, values, and purpose through exceptional service, leadership, collaboration, innovation, or community impact. Recognition may be based on a specific incident or sustained demonstration of City values.
The MVP Recognition Program shall be awarded once annually, presented at the first regular council meeting in October as part of the years of service recognition. Nominations shall be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Selection Process
The City Administrator or their designee shall compile all eligible nominations annually. A review committee consisting of Department Heads or other employees selected by the City Administrator shall review all nominations. Each nomination will be evaluated using established criteria approved by the city council, which may include:
• Alignment with City values
• Impact on the organization or community
• Demonstration of leadership or initiative
• Sustainability or lasting benefit of the action
One recipient shall be selected annually. At the discretion of the review committee, honorable mentions may be designated.
The MVP recipient shall receive:
• One day of paid leave or a $200 recognition bonus if recipient is ineligible for paid leave.
• A department lunch hosted by the City
• Formal recognition at a City Council meeting and all-staff meeting
• Inclusion in City communications (e.g., newsletter, intranet, or bulletin board)
• Placement on a permanent recognition display at City Hall.
Safety Star Recognition Program
The Safety Star Recognition Program acknowledges individuals who demonstrate exemplary commitment to workplace safety through proactive behavior, adherence to safe work practices, hazard identification, near-miss reporting, or actions that prevent injury or property damage.
The Safety Star Recognition can be awarded semi-annually, presented at the first regular council meeting in April and the first regular council meeting in October as part of the years of service recognition. Nominations shall be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Selection Process
The coordinator of the safety program shall compile all eligible nominations on a rolling basis. The Safety Committee shall review nominations semi-annually. Each nomination will be evaluated using established criteria approved by the city council, which may include:
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices
• Prevention of incidents or injuries
• Promotion of a safety-first culture
• Positive influence on peers regarding safety
One recipient shall be selected for every recognition period. If, in the judgement of the Safety Committee or due to a lack of nominations, there are no suitable nominations, then the Safety Committee may choose not to recognize any individual during a given recognition period. At the discretion of the safety committee, honorable mentions may be designated.
The Safety Star Recipient shall receive:
• One-half (½) day of paid time off (if eligible for paid leave)
• A department lunch hosted by the City
• Recognition at a City Council meeting and a safety or all staff meeting
• Inclusion in City safety communications and postings
Program Administration and Review of Programs
The City Administrator shall oversee administration and consistency of both programs. This policy and its programs shall be reviewed at least every two years to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness. Adjustments to recognition elements or evaluation criteria may be made administratively, provided they remain consistent with this policy’s intent.
Standardized nomination forms shall be maintained by the City Administrator and available at City Hall. Nominations may be submitted at any time. All nominations shall include a clear description of the behavior or action being recognized and its alignment with program criteria. Individuals who submit nominations may be notified when their nomination is received and considered.
Recognition under this policy shall be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status.
(03-03-2026)