(Barrie, ON) Accolades were among items received at Council Monday night. The City of Barrie has received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award in recognition of its 2009 Business Plan and Budget. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association of 17,600 government finance professionals throughout North America.
Mayor Dave Aspden was presented the award from Ed Archer, General Manager of Corporate Services. “This is a wonderful accomplishment. To receive international recognition for a plan that outlines how City Hall will continue to provide quality services to its residents is something to be proud of. This could only have been possible through great efforts from staff,” says Aspden.
“We’re very proud of the extensive efforts put forward by staff to make this happen. In just two years, Barrie's budget has become a leading edge example of accountability in public spending and forward thinking in financial planning. It underlines Council's priority for fiscal responsibility. This award goes out to the many staff who spent countless hours on an award winning document,” says Councillor Jeff Lehman, Chair of the Finance Committee
This award represents an important achievement and a mark of excellence in public sector financial reporting. Over the last year, the City of Barrie has made significant changes to its budget process aimed at improving efficiencies and making it feel more like a ‘business plan.’
“The 2009 Budget and Business Plan addresses Council's direction to develop a budget that not only describes how we plan to use the resources entrusted to us, but also describes the goals and objectives we intend to achieve,” says Archer.
In order to receive the award, the submission must meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines assess how well the budget serves as: a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device.
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is valid for one year. To continue participation in the program, the City needs to submit the next budget document for consideration by the GFOA. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.
About Barrie – Barrie is an exciting, caring and progressive community that 135,000 people call home. Situated 90 km north of the Greater Toronto Area on beautiful Kempenfelt Bay, Barrie offers an excellent life style and multitude of recreational opportunities. We are committed to the growth of prosperity of Central Ontario’s leading City and most dynamic waterfront community.
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