Goodlettsville, Tennessee – The City of Goodlettsville has earned statewide recognition for its commitment to improving operations and strengthening public service. On Wednesday, February 25, city leaders attended the 2026 awards ceremony hosted by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence in Franklin, Tennessee, where Goodlettsville received the Level 1 Award.
The ceremony honored public and private organizations from across Tennessee that have demonstrated a strong commitment to performance excellence and continuous improvement. For Goodlettsville, the recognition marks an important step in its long-term effort to enhance efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.
The Level 1 Award is presented to organizations that show systematic efforts to improve processes, increase efficiency, and enhance overall effectiveness. In Goodlettsville’s case, evaluators specifically recognized the city’s work in improving workplace efficiencies, streamlining operations, and fostering a culture centered on accountability and measurable performance.
Commitment to improvement across departments
City Manager Tim Ellis said the award reflects the dedication of employees throughout the organization.
“This award represents the dedication and professionalism of our entire team. Our employees continually look for ways to improve how we serve our community, strengthen our internal processes, and operate more efficiently. Earning the Level 1 Award is a testament to their commitment to excellence and to delivering highquality service to the residents of Goodlettsville.”
The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence evaluates organizations using nationally recognized standards. These standards emphasize leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, workforce engagement, and operational effectiveness. The process requires participants to carefully assess how they operate, identify strengths and weaknesses, and implement structured improvements.
City leadership noted that the award is not tied to one department or a single initiative. Instead, it reflects collaboration across all city functions. Officials said the recognition highlights the shared effort among employees to improve how the city works internally and how it serves residents externally.
Julie High, Assistant City Manager and TNCPE Committee Chair for the City of Goodlettsville, emphasized that the evaluation process itself was valuable.
“Earning the Level 1 Award from the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence reflects a true team effort across our organization. This process challenged us to take a closer look at how we operate, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen the way we serve our community. I am incredibly proud of our employees for embracing this journey with dedication, transparency, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This recognition is just the beginning as we continue building a culture focused on performance excellence.”
Officials described the award as a milestone rather than a final destination. By participating in the evaluation process, the city gained insight into where it excels and where it can improve further. Leaders say the recognition reinforces Goodlettsville’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and high-quality public service.
As the city continues its journey toward higher levels of performance excellence, leaders expressed confidence that the structured approach to improvement will benefit residents for years to come.
