City Of Murfreesboro Receives National Award For 5th Straight Year

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – For the fifth consecutive year the national Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Murfreesboro with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

“Once again the City of Murfreesboro Finance Department and City Manager’s Office and its budget presentation process have demonstrated we are among the nation’s best,” stated City Manager Rob Lyons. “The City and its citizens should be confident that our budget is presented in accordance with national guidelines recognized by the Chicago-based GFOA.”

 The GFOA guidelines are extremely helpful in developing a budget document that is readable, understandable, and tells the story of the programs and activities of the City.

“We are pleased to once again be recognized by GFOA,” said Finance Director and City Recorder/Treasurer Melissa Wright. “Our group of dedicated employees in the Finance Department once again deserve this recognition. In particular, Reporting Manager/Accountant Ana Stovall should be credited for meeting the Council’s deadline and preparing final documentation in accordance with GFOA standards.”

 In order to receive the Distinguished Budget Award, a governmental unit must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation that includes:  a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories as well as the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award. The City budget is available to view on the City’s website via this web linkhttp://www.murfreesborotn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2584

“The award represents a significant achievement and reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” said Stephen J. Gauthier, director of the GFOA Technical Services Center. For FY 2015-16, 1,491 participants received the Award.

GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving 18,300 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards program is the only national program in government budgeting.

For City News online, visit www.Murfreesborotn.gov.