(a) Award Criteria. An innovation award may be given annually by the General Manager to employees or outside entities who submit the best innovative ideas for operational improvement or sustainability for WSSC. As the ideas are received, EESD may review and group ideas into initiatives following the procedure in WSSC 1.27.040. Ideas that receive approval as innovation initiatives or proposals by the Council may be considered for an award. Members of the Innovation and Research Council and employees who are involved in the evaluation of innovation and research ideas are not eligible to receive an award under this chapter unless they are recused from the evaluation of their idea.

(b) Award Values. Awards may be given each year as determined by the Council. The type or amount of each award will be determined by the General Manager, who may consider many determination factors, including but not limited to cost savings, creativity, sustainability and operational efficiency.

(c) Selection. EESD may submit a list of possible innovation award nominees to the Council at quarterly Council meetings for their review and nomination to the General Manager. (Document dated May 17, 2017 § VI)