FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2025

Sacramento, CA – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) hosted its inaugural Challenge Awards Dinner, celebrating the ingenuity and dedication of counties in tackling some of the state’s most pressing challenges. While this is the first event of its kind, the CSAC Challenge Awards have been a cornerstone of the Association for more than 30 years, recognizing groundbreaking programs that improve lives across California.

This year’s event held special significance as 2025 marks the 175^th anniversary of the incorporation of California’s original 27 counties. Counties have long been the foundation of local governance, providing critical services and fostering innovation to meet the evolving needs of their communities.

“Innovation has been a defining characteristic of California’s counties since their inception 175 years ago,” said CSAC President and Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths. “From the earliest days of statehood to today, counties have continuously adapted, creating solutions that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. The Challenge Awards celebrate that enduring spirit of innovation.”

This year, CSAC is honoring 16 outstanding programs from 11 counties, reflecting the diverse and dynamic ways counties serve their communities. The winning counties include:

• Riverside County – three awards
• Nevada County – two awards
• San Diego County – two awards
• Solano County – two awards
• Fresno, Lake, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, and Sonoma Counties – one award each

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Innovation Award, which is given to the highest-scoring programs in the competition. This year, Los Angeles, Nevada, and Sonoma Counties were recognized for their trailblazing initiatives that set new standards for local government excellence.

“Counties are the boots on the ground and the primary service provider for communities,” said CSAC Chief Executive Officer Graham Knaus. “The programs we honor through the Challenge Awards demonstrate counties’ vital role in delivering real solutions that bring state priorities to life. These award-winning initiatives are not just improving lives locally – they are setting models that can be replicated across the state and nation.”

With 419 entries submitted this year, the Challenge Awards showcase the breadth of creativity and problem-solving that define county government. CSAC is proud to highlight the innovative spirit that has driven California’s counties for 175 years and counting.

For more information on the CSAC Challenge Awards and the 2024 award-winning programs, visit www.counties.org/challenge-awards.

California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level. www.counties.org

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