City of Sisters earns budget honors

The City of Sisters has received a "Distinguished Budget Presentation Award" for its budget document.

The award comes from Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as a financial plan; as a policy document; as an operations guide; and as a communication device.

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

Lisa Young, finance director, was presented last month with a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation.

At the February 11 council meeting, Mark Gonzales, finance director for Clackamas County in the Portland area, and a GFOA representative, was in attendance to present the award to Young.

Mr. Gonzales said that Finance Director Young submitted and won a Distinguished Budget Award with her first budget submission, a notable accomplishment.

"It is unusual to receive the award on the first submission," he said. "The budget document was rated as proficient in nearly every category. This document was put together very well. The city should reserve a place on the wall for more awards to come!"

He presented the Distinguished Budget Award plaque to Young, stating that it symbolizes hard work and excellence.