City of Vernon and CFO receive award for 2014 budget

VERNON – Monday during the regular open meeting of Vernon City Council, the City was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the 2014 City of Vernon budget, and received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The award represents a significant achievement, reflecting the commitment of the City and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. The City previously received this award for its budget in 2013.

In order to receive the budget award, the City 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 policy document, financial plan, operations guide and a communications device. All of these documents must be rated “proficient” in four categories, with 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. GFOA said that 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 the results of a very comprehensive process leading to the 2014 Financial Plan,” said Kevin Bertles, the City’s Director of Financial Services. “It has been my goal to raise the overall level of financial reporting of the City and, in doing so, raise the level of financial transparency for Council, the citizens of Vernon and all other users of our financial information. Participating in the GFOA budget award program helps us to achieve that goal through its evaluations against industry best practices.”

A Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation was also presented Bertles as being primarily responsible for the award being presented to the City.

“Having our Chief Financial Officer achieve this award again is a satisfying recognition of the high standard of work by his department along with the constant collaboration of all the City of Vernon departments that serve our public,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky.