Fire district recognized for budget work

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District is good at putting out fires and saving lives. It turns out that they're good at running the business of fire service, as well.

The District has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its 2016-2017 budget. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest award in governmental budgeting. This is the first time the District has received this award and is one of only a handful of fire districts in Oregon who have received the award in 2016.

In order to receive the budget award, the District had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines are designed to assess how well the District's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. The budget document must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award.

District Finance Manager Kay Johnson was also recognized with a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation. The award is presented by the GFOA to those individuals who have been instrumental in their government unit achieving a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Johnson credits the board of directors and the budget committee for their commitment and adherence to nationally recognized budgeting standards and practices.

"It's an honor to work for a fire district that has such high expectations for financial management and budgetary practices," Johnson said. "Our entire staff participates in the budgetary process and shares in this recognition"

District Board President Chuck Newport said, "This was an organizational goal for the District this year, and I know how hard Kay and the rest of our staff has worked to make this happen. The board is very proud of everyone who worked on this year's budget."