The City of Oklahoma City said Dec. 8 the Office of Management and Budget received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its 2009-10 budget.
The award is presented to entities that demonstrate a commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
“We are pleased that GFOA acknowledged the efforts of City staff to produce a budget that meets standards for excellence,” Budget Director Craig Freeman said.
In order to receive the award, Oklahoma City was required to meet or exceed nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in four categories and 14 mandatory criteria within those categories.
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The four categories assess how well the budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, communications device and operations plan.
“Transparency is the key to citizen confidence,” City Manager Jim Couch said. “We received this award because our Budget Analysts are committed to ensuring the City’s budget book is transparent, understandable and accurate.”
Oklahoma City’s budget process begins with a City Council workshop in January and is typically approved in June following a series of finance committee meetings which are open to the public. “Gazette staff
This article appears in Dec 9-15, 2009.