• Editor’s Note: We know that at least three Kane County cities won this award. If there are more, send an email to nagelrick@co.kane.il.us, and we’ll add the name to the story.

After more than 30 years of writing and editing budget stories, let me tell you, it’s not easy.

A lot of the time, budgets are hard to read, hard to understand — and while they’re absolutely chuck full o’ absolutely vital and interesting information, it’s hard to make a story about them that’s vital and interesting to readers.

That’s one of the reasons I have a great appreciation for a great budget presentation — and at least three of our cities in Kane County are really, really good at it. Congratulations go out to the city of Elgin, the city of Aurora and the city of Geneva, each of which are recipients of  the GFOA DBPA!

OK, I failed to hear a thunderous round of applause after that last sentence. GFOA DBPA is the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, and just by typing a title that long I probably just killed any chance to keep you reading, but believe me, these budget presentations are something to be seen.

Take a look:

• Here’s the city of Elgin 2014 budget, which won the award.
• Here’s the city of Elgin 2015 adopted budget, which is available for public public scrutiny as we speak.
• Here’s the city of Geneva 2014-15 annual budget.
• Here’s the city of Geneva 2015-16 annual budget.
• Here’s the city of Aurora 2014 budget.
• Here’s the city of Aurora 2015 budget.

The city of Aurora has received a GFOA DBPA for 16 years straight, from 2000 through 2015 — not too shabby.

You’ll notice that these cities post online, with all kinds of search options so you can find what you’re looking for. But what’s really great is that they have graphics that make it easy for you to understand mass quantities of info at a glance, they use language that they layman can understand and they organize information in a common-sense way.

They outline goals and challenges. They include economic data and org charts. They align spending initiatives with core values.

All very cool.

Elgin Receives GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada is pleased to announce that City of Elgin, Illinois has received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.

The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of thegoverning body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effectivebudget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:

• a policy document
• a financial plan
• an operations guide
• a communications device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted to an entity, a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual or department designated as being primarily responsible for its having achieved the award.

Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 18,000 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, with offices in Washington D.C. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

GENEVA CITY EARNS DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD

The City of Geneva’s budget practices continue to garner national recognition after winning the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the sixth consecutive year.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada honor reflects the commitment of the City “to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” according to the association. Geneva’s 2015-16 budget runs from May 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016.

“In preparation of the City’s annual budget, our management team and finance staff conduct a six-month long process that takes the City Council’s prioritized goals and puts them into a plan that provides the highest level of service possible for the citizens of Geneva,” City Administrator Mary McKittrick said. “We work very hard on our budget development and are honored to be recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association again this year. I want to congratulate our staff for their excellent work.”

In order to receive the award, Geneva 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 a communications device. Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, as well as the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

Award recipients have “pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America,” according to the association.

Both past and present budgets can be found on the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit organization serving more than 18,000 government finance professionals.

The budget award marks the second financial distinction bestowed upon Geneva by the association in 2015. This spring, the City was recognized with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2013-14 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

About Geneva, IL

Located 40 miles west of Chicago along the Fox River, Geneva is home to 21,495 residents and serves as the seat of Kane County government. Geneva’s character is found in its historic architecture, adaptive re-use of historic buildings, mature landscapes and open space with more than 700 acres of park land. With festivals and events year-round, Geneva is a place to connect with others for shopping, dining or browsing art galleries. Home to excellent schools, library and parks, Geneva continues to be one of the premier cities in the Chicago area to live, work, play and raise a family. For the latest news, visit the City’s website at www.geneva.il.us.