Leonardtown, MD – Over the past three years, the Department of Finance has worked to revamp the design and layout of the annual budget book. The goal … to make the county’s finances more accessible and transparent to citizens. Those efforts have paid off with a national honor.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and the Department of Finance with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the FY2017 Budget Book.
The award reflects county government’s commitment to meeting the Association’s highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the award, St. Mary’s County had to satisfy national recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines assess how well the county’s budget serves as:
• a policy document
• a financial plan
• an operations guide
• a communications device
The budget document must be rated proficient in all four categories, along with the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
“I congratulate my team here in Finance,” said Jeannett Cudmore, Chief Financial Officer. “I’m excited to be one of the many local governments to receive this award. This accomplishment further reflects how our Department demonstrates teamwork and continued quality performance.”
Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.
“This award represents a great achievement for the Department of Finance,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “I congratulate everyone in Finance for their contributions in producing such a high quality publication.”
To view the award winning FY17 budget book go to FY2017 Budget Book.