EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral and Town Administrator Connor Read are pleased to share that the Town of Easton recently received a national award in recognition of its FY2020 budget document developed in close collaboration with Easton Public Schools.
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is awarded by the National Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award recognizes a commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
In order to receive the award, the town had to show proficiency in the nationally recognized guidelines for an effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget document serves as a: policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communication device.
A budget document provides an outline of funding decisions and the rationale behind key decisions. The GFOA encourages entities to prepare budget documents of the highest quality as they promote better communication and make it easier for the public to comprehend important budgetary information and how the town’s resources are being allocated.
Easton’s budget document also needed to be rated proficient or outstanding in GFOA’s 14 mandatory criteria. Content criteria points included a statement of short-term and long-term strategic goals that provide context for budget decisions; an articulation of priorities and issues facing the town in the coming year; a description of funds and the budgetary fund structure; a description of the development, review and adoption process for the budget; and a discussion of revenues, financing sources and expenditures. Other criteria points related to the document’s formatting and understandability.
Easton’s budget document received special commendation on its budget summary and executive messaging.
“We are grateful to the Town of Easton for its continued support of our schools and we are thankful for the great working relationship we have with the town,” Superintendent Cabral said. “This award is a representation of the positive outcomes that result from effective collaboration and clear communication between all departments of the town.”
“The Select Board prides itself on transparency and clear communication with the community,” Easton Select Board Chair Dottie Fulginiti said. “The Distinguished Budget Award speaks truth to those priorities, and I am very proud of the efforts of Easton’s Town and School Departments to work collaboratively and make such high quality information available to voters and the general public.”
About National Government Finance Officers Association
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 20,500 members and the communities they serve.
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