Mayor to Present April 2025 Award of Excellence

Mayor to Present April 2025 Award of Excellence

Published on October 20, 2025

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today will present the Mayor's Award of Excellence for April 2025 to Investigator Jon Rennerfeldt of the Lincoln Police Department (LPD).

The award will be presented at 3 p.m. at the beginning of the City Council meeting at the County-City Building, 555 S. 10th Street. The awards recognize City employees who consistently provide exemplary service and work that demonstrates personal commitment to Lincoln.

Rennerfeldt was nominated by LPD Sergeant Wendi Ground in the category of Public Health and Safety for his investigative work and dedication to public safety following two shooting incidents.

In her nomination, Ground noted that Rennerfeldt drafted numerous legal documents, including search and arrest warrants, that ultimately helped in the arrest of six individuals on numerous felony charges.

"Investigator Rennerfeldt's work on these cases has been paramount in sending the message that those who wish to commit crimes in the City of Lincoln will be apprehended and held accountable," she wrote.

The categories in which employees can be nominated are:

• Community Engagement - Fostering community member involvement and participation in local governance
• Sustainability and Resilience - Promoting environmental stewardship and strengthening the City's sustainability efforts
• Inclusion and Belonging - Advancing equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging within City government and our community
• Public Health and Safety - Enhancing public health, safety, and emergency preparedness
• Economic Opportunity - Supporting local businesses, workforce development, and economic growth
• Education and Lifelong Learning - Expanding educational opportunities and promoting lifelong learning
• Civic Innovation - Creating and implementing new solutions that improve municipal services
• Youth Empowerment - Encouraging young leaders and increasing youth involvement in the community
• Cultural Vitality - Enriching Lincoln's cultural landscape through the arts, historic preservation, and storytelling
• Fiscal Stewardship - Demonstrating exemplary management of public resources through efficiency and accountability
• Customer Service Excellence - Providing outstanding service to residents and enhancing their experience with City services
• Valor and Bravery - Displaying extraordinary courage and dedication in the line of duty

Consideration also may be given to nominations that demonstrate self-initiated accomplishments or those completed outside of the nominee's job description. All City employees are eligible for the award except for elected and appointed officials.

Individuals or teams can be nominated by supervisors, peers, subordinates, and the public. Nomination forms are available at lincoln.ne.gov/AwardOfExcellence or from department heads, employee bulletin boards or the Human Resources Department, which oversees the awards program.

All nominations are considered by the Mayor's Award of Excellence Committee, which includes a representative with each union and a non-union representative appointed by the Mayor. Award winners receive a $100 gift certificate, a day off with pay and a certificate. All monthly winners and nominees are eligible to receive the annual award, which comes with a $500 gift certificate, two days off with pay and a plaque.