An Ottumwa city councilwoman is receiving special recognition this month.

Council Member Holly Berg was awarded the Rhonda Wood Smith Award by the Iowa League of Cities during the Awards Banquet at its Annual Conference & Exhibit in Coralville.

The Rhonda Wood Smith Award was created to recognize exemplary work of young city officials and those new to city government. Award criteria included innovation, bold leadership, commitment and sacrifice. The award was named for Rhonda Wood Smith, a single parent who served as mayor of Garner while working as a municipal consultant. She succumbed to cancer early in 1997 after establishing an outstanding reputation as a civic minded person committed to her community.

Berg’s career in public service, both for the city and in her community, made her eligible for this award. Her many accomplishments were highlighted at the Awards Banquet, which took place Thursday evening, September 16. The introduction read, in part, “Holly Berg, this year’s Rhonda Wood Smith award recipient, has been an active advocate for her community and personifies the characteristics of a true leader. She has been an active member of various boards in her community.”