It also earns Special Capital Recognition for the second consecutive year
Sarasota County recently earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 27th consecutive year, the county has announced.
“The award, which is the highest professional recognition in governmental budgeting,” was presented to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) staff during the April 26 County Commission meeting, a news release notes.
“Our budget process provides the foundation to continually ensure sound fiscal stewardship and transparency,” said County Administrator Tom Harmer. “It’s an honor to be recognized for our hard work and ongoing commitment to a comprehensive document that meets the highest standards. I also want to recognize the OFM team for its commitment to ongoing improvement.”
“National recognition is based on how well a budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and a communication device,” the release explains. The honor results from ratings linked to 27 specific criteria, the release says.
In addition, Sarasota County earned Special Capital Recognition for the second consecutive year, the release points out. That was based on all three reviewers giving outstanding ratings to the criterion regarding the county’s capital expenditures and the impact of capital investments on the operating budget, the release notes.
“Our budgeting enables success as an organization by providing sound financial guidance and the development of a budget document that has consistently been recognized by the GFOA,” said OFM Director Kim Radtke in the release.
The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving more than 19,000 government finance professionals throughout North America, the release explains. “The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting,” the release adds.