CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – The Citrus Heights community has spoken and results are in for the 19th annual Best of Citrus Heights awards.

This year, Republic Services won two awards: best waste management and overall votes out of all the entries. It marks Republic Services’ first time winning best overall votes.

“Republic Services is proud to be voted the Best Waste Company in Citrus Heights and the Best of the Best,” said Annah Rulon,” Republic Services municipal sales manager. “A few of our company values include Human-Centered, Committed to Serve and Driven. This means our employees try hard every day to provide world-class customer service to the 26,000 homes in Citrus Heights and the hundreds of businesses we serve. It was a joy to be among so many community leaders and amazing businesses at the Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner. Citrus Heights is a hard-working, close-knit community and we enjoy being a part of it.”

On Sept. 19, Republic Services and 42 other area businesses, places and organizations were acknowledged at this year’s Best of Citrus Heights awards celebration.

The Best of Citrus Heights is presented by the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Citrus Heights Messenger. 

Police Chief Alex Turcotte emceed the western-themed Sept. 19 Best of Citrus Heights awards celebration. Dignitaries attending included state Assemblyman Josh Hoover, Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost, Supervisor-elect Rosario Rodriguez, Citrus Heights City Manager Ash Feeney, Citrus Heights Vice-Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, and Citrus Heights Councilmembers Tim Schaefer and Porsche Middleton.

“This year’s Best of Citrus Heights was amazing. As far as the engagement, we had the most engagement with almost 500 contenders and over 3,000 voters this year as compared to last year’s 1,700 voters,” said Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sheri Merrick. “Last year, there were 4,000 votes and this year, we had over 7,000 votes.”

This year’s sold-out awards celebratopm also had the highest attendance, with more than 250 attendees.

Categories ranged from Best Accounting and Tax Services to Best Community Association to Best Entertainment Venue to Best Restaurant to Best Veterinarian and Pet Services to Best Waste Collective Services. 

Online voting through VoterFly ran from Aug. 6 to Sept. 5.

“This is the first time I’ve been in a community where we have a third-party, VoterFly, involved with the voting,” Merrick said. “I loved it, because it was truly the vote of the community. Ryan Griffith from VoterFly was great to work with. Using Voterfly ensured that the votes had full integrity with no ballot stuffing.”

The annual Best of Citrus Heights awards’ purpose, Merrick said, “is to shine a spotlight on our business community and show them love.”

“It was so great to hear all the businesses cheering each other on at the awards celebration dinner,” Merrick said. “It was a great night and a lot of fun. I absolutely adore Citrus Heights businesses. They are great neighbors; they look out for each other and want to support each other.”

The Best of Citrus Heights 2024 was presented by Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center.

Superstar Sponsors were the City of Citrus Heights, Citrus Heights Water District, Atlas Disposal, County Supervisor Sue Frost, 5 Star Accounting and McDonald’s.

Photo Booth Sponsors were Almond Orchard Dental Care and Miller’s Ace Hardware.

Media sponsor was Messenger Publishing Group.

Starlet Sponsors were Sunrise Marketplace, California American Water, SJ Sharif, Stones Gambling Hall, Pride Industries and SMUD.

Co-Star Sponsors were Consolidated Communications, San Juan Water and California State Sen. Roger Niello.

For more information about the annual event, go online to bestofcitrusheights.org and/or the chamber’s website at chchamber.com.