Santa Clarita Water (SCWD), a division of Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA), received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award presented by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada and the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) Operating Budget Excellence Award for its FY 2016/17 Budget. “Accountability to the public, our ratepayers, starts with a clear annual budget document and related financial reporting. I commend our budget team for their excellent efforts with the FY 2016/17 budget”, said Matt Stone, CLWA General Manager.

To receive the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the budget document must be rated “proficient” in all four categories that demonstrate how well the budget serves as a (1) policy document, (2) financial plan, (3) operations guide and (4) communications device. The award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. This is the sixth consecutive year in which SCWD has received this award.

Elizabeth Ooms-Graziano, Retail Administrative Officer for Santa Clarita Water Division, received a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation for being primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning budget.

The FY 2016/17 Budget has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

The GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services, and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has an office in Washington, D.C.

The CSMFO Budget Awards Program is designed to recognize those agencies that have prepared a budget document that meets standards that include (1) a minimum score of 50 points (out of 80) in the Excellence in Budgeting section and (2) a score of 20 out of 20 for the Meritorious Budget section. SCWD’s FY 2016/17 Budget has been judged by impartial review to meet the high standards of the CSMFO program. This is the sixth consecutive year in which SCWD has received this award.

CSMFO is California’s premier statewide association for finance professionals, with Chapters located throughout the State. CSMFO seeks to improve the knowledge, skills, and performance of individuals responsible for municipal and other local government fiscal policy and management.

SCWD’s Budget and other financial documents can be found right on our webpage at: http://scwater.org/finance.