Storm Lake Wins Top Award from State Auditor

Iowa city recognized for cost-saving innovations, environmental stewardship, and transparency

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The City of Storm Lake, Iowa has been named the Best Performing City in the state's 2026 Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program, tying for the top honor in the large cities category (over 10,000 population) alongside Fort Madison. State Auditor Rob Sand launched the PIE program in 2019 to help communities in Iowa slash waste and save tax dollars, and Storm Lake was recognized for its cost-saving innovations, environmental stewardship, and transparency and communication.

Why it matters

The PIE program is an important initiative to encourage local governments across Iowa to find creative ways to operate more efficiently and effectively, saving taxpayer money while also promoting sustainability and open government. Storm Lake's recognition as a top-performing city highlights its commitment to these values and serves as a model for other communities to follow.

The details

Storm Lake was recognized in the PIE program for a variety of initiatives, including cost-saving innovations, environmental stewardship, and transparency and communication with residents. The city's efforts to slash waste and find efficiencies in local government operations have resulted in significant taxpayer savings, while its focus on sustainability and open data have also been praised.

  • State Auditor Rob Sand launched the PIE program in 2019.
  • Storm Lake was named the Best Performing City in the 2026 PIE program.

The players

Rob Sand

The State Auditor of Iowa who launched the PIE program in 2019 to help communities find innovative ways to save money and operate more efficiently.

City of Storm Lake

A city in Iowa that was recognized as the Best Performing City in the 2026 PIE program for its cost-saving innovations, environmental stewardship, and transparency.

Fort Madison

Another Iowa city that tied Storm Lake for the top honor in the large cities category of the 2026 PIE program.

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What they’re saying

“The PIE recipe focuses on small, common-sense changes that can lead to millions of dollars in collective savings across the state.”

— Rob Sand, State Auditor (northwestiowanow.com)

What’s next

Auditor Sand plans to visit Storm Lake in the future to present the city with the PIE award.

The takeaway

Storm Lake's recognition as a top-performing city in Iowa's PIE program demonstrates how local governments can find innovative ways to save taxpayer money, promote sustainability, and enhance transparency, serving as a model for other communities to follow.