The Town’s budget serves well as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device.

Because of this, the Town has received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2010 budget. This was the second year straight that the Town applied for and received the award.

“This is a great achievement for the Finance staff and reflects all the hard work that goes into creating our budget document each year,” Finance Director Charles Montoya said. “In particular, it reflects our Town value of being committed to the highest standard of conduct and professionalism.”

In order to receive the award, the Town satisfied nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. It was among about 1,200 entities that did so for budgets including the fiscal period 2009.

“The award represents a significant achievement,” according to a press release from the finance association. “It reflects the commitment of the (Town) and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.”

As part of the award, the Finance Department received a certificate of recognition, which will be formally presented at an upcoming Town Council meeting.

The awards program – the only national awards program in governmental budgeting –encourages governments to prepare better budget documents, which are essential for public information. Credit-rating agencies view receipt of the award as a positive factor.

For more information about the program, visit gfoa.org.