Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand today announced the 2026 winners of the Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program, designed to help Iowa communities slash waste and save tax dollars by sharing creative, common-sense ideas to improve efficiency. (See the list below)

“The PIE recipe is sweet and simple: small changes can lead to significant savings for local governments, and when they share their ideas statewide, it unlocks potential savings in the millions of dollars,” said Sand. “That’s why I’m asking the legislature to pass a law that would make PIE a state-backed program, ensuring that every public entity in Iowa has access to these innovative ideas through an annual report compiled by the State Auditor.”

Auditor Sand launched the nationally recognized PIE program in 2019 to promote fiscal responsibility and encourage collaboration among communities. Participation increased 55% in the first two years, with approximately 500 counties, cities, and school districts in every county in the state submitting annual entries. Their PIE recipes run the gamut, from creating new revenue streams by capturing and selling methane gas produced by a landfill to adjusting heating and cooling schedules to maximize energy efficiency.

“I want to congratulate the winning communities and thank all the PIE participants for making Iowa taxpayers a priority,” said Sand. “PIE proves that innovation and partnership can make government better for every Iowan.”

And the PIE awards go to:

COUNTIES

Smallest County: Adams

Best Performing County: Story County

Best Performing Largest Fifth County: Story

Best Performing Second Fifth County: Plymouth

Best Performing Middle Fifth County: Clayton

Best Performing Fourth Fifth County: Louisa

Best Performing Smallest Fifth County: Monona

Most Improved County: Louisa

CITIES

Smallest City: Beaconsfield

Best Performing City: Guttenberg

Best Performing Largest Fifth City: TIE Storm Lake & Fort Madison

Best Performing Second Fifth City: Guttenberg

Best Performing Middle Fifth City: Inwood

Best Performing Fourth Fifth City: Bridgewater

Best Performing Smallest Fifth City: Spragueville

COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Smallest Community School District: Diagonal

Best Performing Community School District: Council Bluffs

Best Performing 4A Community School District: Council Bluffs

Best Performing 3A Community School District: South Tama, Okoboji, Allamakee

Best Performing 2A Community School District: Louisa-Muscatine & Mount Ayr

Best Performing 1A Community School District: Essex

Most Improved CSD: South Tama

Auditor Sand will personally deliver a pie to each award winner in the coming months.