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Citizen of the Year

Each year the Citizen of the Year Committee seeks nominations from the community of people who could be selected as Novato Citizen of the Year.

The Citizen of the Year is always a well kept Novato secret until the night of Novato’s Birthday Party. 

Nominate someone for 2025 Citizen of the Year

Forms in English & Spanish to follow.

Citizen of the Year

Citizen of the Year 2024

After more than 50 years of local service in leadership roles, especially when it comes it issues with water and land, Bill Long was named the 2024 Novato Citizen of the Year.

2024 Citizen of the Year Bill Long with Novato Mayor receiving the Key to the City.
A Novato resident since 1969, Long’s legacy includes exemplary service on influential bodies such as the Marin County Planning Commission, the Marin County Parks and Open Space Commission, the County Zone 1 Flood Control Board, the North Bay Water Reuse Authority, the Novato Sanitary District Board, the Bay Area Ridge Trail Board, the Marin Open Space Trust, and several others.

On his down time from his chemical engineering career, Long devoted years to the planning, development, and management of recreational trails and helped create a system of linked trails around the perimeter of San Francisco Bay. He became best known in North Bay water circles as a pioneer in the promotion of water recycling and spearheaded the formation of the North Bay Water Reuse Authority and its North Bay Water Recycling Program. He has also served on the Novato Flood Control Advisory Board and founded the Marin Open Space Trust (MOST) to protect pristine natural lands from suburban development.

Read more about Bill Long