City’s Finance Team is Recognized by GFOA

Last month the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented Cedar Hills with the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Finance Director Charl Louw was also presented with a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation as the individual primarily responsible for having achieved this award.

According to the GFOA, the award “reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.” This is the 13^th year that Cedar Hills has received this award. In order to qualify, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The budget documents submitted are evaluated separately by three reviewers. Each reviewer rates each budget document as being not proficient, proficient, or outstanding in regard to 27 specific criteria, grouped into four basic categories. To receive the award, a budget document must be rated either proficient or outstanding by at least two of the three reviewers for all four basic categories, as well as for 14 of the 27 specific criteria identified as mandatory.

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of Mr. Louw and our entire finance team. They do a great job keeping the city in compliance with all applicable laws and have done many things over the past few years to improve transparency in the budget. We are fortunate to have such a team.

—Jenney Rees, City Council