Despite the recent announcement of a petition state audit process targeted at Parkville’s municipal government, the city has received a national budget presentation award for the fourth consecutive year.

The City of Parkville made this announcement via press release last week when the city was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The city received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2019 annual budget. This is the fourth straight year the city has received the award for its annual budget. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the budget award, the city had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and as a communications device.

To receive the award, a budget document must rate proficient in all four categories, as well as rate proficient in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories. The first award was received in 2016.

“Parkville’s budget document clearly articulates to the public how the city proposes to spend their tax dollars,” said city administrator Joe Parente in the release. “It is a user-friendly document and promotes enhanced transparency in government. I am proud of the commitment of the governing body and city staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting.”

The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of approximately 20,500 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.

The GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting with over 1,600 participants.

The award will be formally presented at the regular meeting of the board of aldermen on Nov. 5.