For 24 consecutive years, Sarasota County's
Office of Financial Management (OFM)
has received the Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award from the Government
Finance Officers Association (GFOA) the
county has announced.
The award, which is the highest professional
recognition in governmental budgeting, was
presented to OFM staff during the County
Commission meeting on June 11, a news
release notes.
"One of the county's eight strategic goals is
to ensure fiscal sustainability," said Shannon
LaFon, OFM capital budget manager, in the
release. "This award acknowledges the many
hours, hard work and dedication of our Financial
Management staff along with the collaboration
with other departments and constitutional offi-
cers to achieve that goal," she added.
National recognition is based on how well a
budget serves as a policy document, financial
plan, operations guide and a communication
device; it is rated based on 14 specific crite-
ria, the release points out.
"Like with many processes and planning, there's
sometimes ebb and flow, but we're always
steadfast in our fiscal responsibility," said Kim
Radtke, OFM operating budget manager, in the
release. "For our staff and the county's bud-
get process to be consistently recognized for
excellence is a great testament demonstrating
our commitment to our citizens."
The GFOA is a nonprofit professional associ-
ation serving more than 18,000 government
finance professionals throughout North
America, the release notes. The organization's
Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards
Program is the only such means nationwide
of recognizing governmental budgeting, the
release adds.
The Sarasota County budget process includes
upcoming meeting presentations, workshops
and public hearings. The workshops are
scheduled for June 25, 27 and 30; July 1 and
9; and Aug. 20. Public hearings will be held on
Sept. 8 and 22.
For meeting details, visit the county's calen-
dar at scgov.net. %
COUNTY RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD
Staff members of the county's Office of Financial Management received recognition during the June
11 County Commission meeting. Photo courtesy Sarasota County
Sarasota News Leader June 13, 2014 Page 86
