PIMA COUNTY - Pima County recently received the highest form of recognition granted by a national association of finance and budget experts.
Last month, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented the Finance and Risk Management Department with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 21st consecutive year.
“This award represents a significant achievement,” Association spokesman Michele Mark Levine said in a written statement. “It reflects a commitment of the and staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting.”
Three separate budget professionals with public sector budgeting experience evaluated documents submitted by the Department's budget division. Judges assessed how well the budget performs in four categories: as a policy document, as a financial plan, as an operations guide and as a communications device.
“This award demands recipients show meticulous detail and accuracy, so we are extremely pleased that we’ve once again been able to reflect our commitment to accountability and transparency in budgeting through this independent review,” Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said. “Taxpayers can be assured we will continue to utilize best practices as we strive for ongoing excellence in budgeting.”
Only 33 other Arizona governments have ever received this prestigious award from the GFOA, the premier professional organization among government finance officials. Pima County has won this award 28 times.
“This award would not be possible without the County’s commitment to excellence and the hard work and dedication of the Finance and Risk Management staff.” Finance and Risk Management Director Michelle Campagne said. “We also appreciate the oversight of the Board of Supervisors and the planning and direction we get from County administration, as well as the assistance from other County departments.”
The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving more than 19,000 government finance professionals in the nation. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.