Brentwood Finance and Information System Department Wins Awards

The City of Brentwood Finance and Information Systems Departments can hold their heads up high after receiving multiple awards recently for doing outstanding work.  Last night the council accepted the awards and filed them for the city.

Councilman Steve Barr pulled the item from the Consent Calendar in honor to thank the staff for their efforts.

“Having worked very closely with this group on quite often basis along with councilman Stonebarger, they never cease to amaze me on the quality of work and what they bring forward to us. They meet all of our demands as a city and kept this city in a financial situation that we can be proud of,” said Barr. “I want to congratulate each and every one of you and thank you for all your hard work.”

Councilman Erick Stonebarger echoed Barr’sc comments stating that although times have been tough in recent years, they made it easier for the council to make decisions while knowing where they stood financially.

The awards include:

• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 2012/13 Operating Budget. This national award was established by GFOA to recognize individual governments that prepare Operating Budgets of the very highest quality and reflect both the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA’s recommended practices on budgeting. The City’s Operating Budget is reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and by outside reviewers with experience in public sector budgeting.
• Excellence in Operating Budgeting from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for the FY 2012/13 Operating Budget. This State Award was established by CSMFO to recognize those agencies whose operating budget documents meet certain state-wide standards and requirements considered to be of the highest quality.
• Excellence in Capital Budgeting from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers for the FY 2012/13 Capital Improvement Program Budget. This State Award was established by CSMFO to recognize those agencies whose Capital Improvement budget documents meet certain state-wide standards and requirements considered to be of the highest quality.
• Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2012. This national award was established by GFOA to recognize individual governments that prepare annual financial reports that exemplify the spirit of transparency and full disclosure. The City’s CAFR is reviewed by selected members of the GFOA professional staff and the GFOA Special Review Committee, which comprises individuals with expertise in public-sector financial reporting and includes financial statement preparers, independent auditors, academics, and other finance professionals.

Due to the success of the Finance Department’s efforts, its actually helped save the city money by having a high Standard and Poor’s rating of “AA”.  In 2012 the City was also able to refinance the 2001 CIP Bonds, saving approximately $150,000 on an annual basis.