#United States #Public Affairs #St. Johns County #Florida Public Relations

St. Johns County's Office of Public Affairs Honored as Government Team of the Year

In a remarkable achievement, the St. Johns County Office of Public Affairs has secured the prestigious 2026 Silver Pinnacle Award for Government Team of the Year. This recognition was presented by the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) during its annual Golden Image Awards event. Notably, this is the second consecutive year the office has been honored with this award, making it the only county communications team in Florida to receive this accolade more than once since its initiation.

The FPRA, which comprises over 1,100 public relations professionals across 29 chapters in Florida, establishes the Pinnacle Award to acknowledge outstanding agencies, departments, or offices that employ innovative public relations strategies to serve their communities effectively. The evaluation process assesses several criteria including unique achievements over the past year, leadership and innovation in communication, and the tangible impact of their efforts.

Joy Andrews, County Administrator, remarked, "Effective communication is essential to building trust and ensuring residents have access to the information they need. This recognition reflects the dedication, creativity, and collaboration of our Office of Public Affairs team and its commitment to finding new and meaningful ways to connect with our community. We are proud of the work they do every day to help residents stay informed and engaged with their County government."

The Office of Public Affairs at St. Johns County has been proactive in creating multiple avenues for residents to remain informed. Their initiatives include media relations, video production, and digital communications, alongside a collection of websites and collaborative partnerships with various departments and community organizations. Some of their recent accomplishments showcase their commitment to transparency and community engagement:

• - SJC 101 Citizens Academy: An annual event aimed at educating residents about county operations and services.
• - Live Streaming of Board Meetings: County Commissioners' meetings are streamed live via Facebook, YouTube, and GovTV to ensure accessibility.
• - New Podcast Series: The launch of three new podcasts, namely County Conversations, Behind the SJCenes, and The SJC Report, aims to engage with the community on a deeper level.
• - The SJC Stewardship Series: This initiative highlights various locations in the county while sharing captivating stories about the local heritage and culture.

Additionally, in May 2026, St. Johns County garnered further recognition at the state level, receiving its second consecutive Florida Municipal Communicators Association (FMCA) Certificate of Excellence in Government Communications, along with the Outstanding Award for a Collaborative Marketing Campaign for their Inside SJC video series. Notably, their anti-litter initiative named Get Hooked also triumphed at the national level in 2024, winning multiple awards from the City-County Communications Marketing Association (3CMA).

Organizational Excellence is one of Hart’s key priorities in the County's Strategic Plan, which underlines the importance of fostering a collaborative atmosphere and empowering County staff to provide exceptional services to the public.

To stay updated with the latest developments and news from St. Johns County, residents are encouraged to subscribe to the County’s e-newsletters. This is a part of the ongoing efforts through the Office of Public Affairs to engage the community and showcase the advancements being made in shaping the future of St. Johns County.

For media inquiries, please contact Wayne Larson, Director of Public Affairs, via cell at 904-426-2128 or via email at [email protected].