LEWISTON – Lewiston Mayor Lionel C. Guay Jr. was given an “Outstanding Achievement City Livability Award” Saturday for the city’s leadership in helping people take advantage of the federal earned income tax credit.

Efforts in the last several years has meant that more than $2 million in taxes have been “put back in citizens’ pockets,” according to a press release from the city.

The earned income tax credit is a federal benefit for eligible low- and moderate-income workers. It reduces their tax burden and can fetch rebates, sometimes supplementing wages.

Lewiston was one of 20 communities nationwide that received the 2006 livability distinction. The city was honored during Saturday’s 74th Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors in Las Vegas.

“Not only have we cut taxes in Lewiston, but we’re also proud to be a creative leader in an effort to put additional money back into citizens’ pockets, as well as into the local economy,” Guay said Saturday in prepared remarks.

For the last several years, Lewiston has partnered with numerous community organizations, as well as the city of Auburn, to promote the earned income tax credit. Through the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition, volunteers were found and trained to help people prepare their taxes.

The result was that $2,274,089 was returned to area taxpayers. In 2006 alone, people who used the coalition’s free tax preparation sites claimed $958,722 in federal refunds and $175,221 in state refunds.

“Lewiston is very proud of its leadership in this awareness campaign, and is equally proud of the various collaborations” that helped residents, Guay said.

Momentum for the effort has built each year, sad City Administrator James A. Bennett. He pledged that Lewiston will maintain its commitment to help people so they can benefit from the earned income tax credit.

More taxpayers will be helped next year, said coalition co-chairwoman Dottie Perham-Whittier. She credited “overwhelming support” from city officials. Next year’s slogan will be: “Take the Money; You’ve Earned It,'” Perham-Whittier said.

As a livability winner, Lewiston will be able to use the livability award logo and will be the focus of a national media campaign, including being highlighted in the U.S. Mayor and on the USCM’s Web site.

“This is just the latest award in an ever-growing list of public recognition and awards that Lewiston is receiving,” Bennett said. “Even the greatest of skeptics has got to recognize that there is an amazing transformation occurring within our community.”

In addition to Lewiston, other 2006 livability award winners in the cities under 100,000 population were Euless, Texas; Lake Oswego, Ore.; Redmond, Wash.; Wilmington, Del.; Carmel, Ind.; Columbia, Mo.; Coral Gables, Fla.; Kokomo, Ind.; and Lauderhill, Fla.

Livability award winners in cities with populations of more than 100,000 included Chicago, Miami and Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston and Austin, Texas, and Irvine, Calif.

Lewiston and the coalition have been lauded by the Center for Economic Progress National Tax Coalition, and Lewiston has received a U.S. Department of the Treasury Award for its earned income tax credit leadership, dedication and contributions in building a stronger community.

In addition, the coalition received a Department of Justice Community Capacity Weed & Seed technical grant, which resulted in a “MEGA free tax prep site,” providing extended hours at the local Multi-Purpose Center to help residents.