Howard County has received the Special Performance Measures Recognition as well as the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada.

According to a press release:

Fewer than two percent of the 1,600 jurisdictions participating in the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Award program receive a special recognition on performance measures each year nationwide, according to John Fishbein, senior program manager for GFOA. A budget has to receive “outstanding” ratings on performance measures from all reviewers in order to receive this recognition for excellence in providing objective measures of progress toward accomplishing mission, goals and objectives in specific agencies and organization wide.

“This award confirms that the steps we took to improve transparency and accountability are working well,” said County Executive Allan Kittleman.

…

“We are pleased to receive this rare Special Recognition from the GFOA for the first time, especially considering that performance measures did not exist in the County’s budget book until two years ago,” said Budget Administrator Dr. Holly Sun. “Our goal has always been to make the budget a strategic policy, financial and operation guide but also a quality communication tool. This award shows that we have made significant progress.”

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

Read the full press release for more information.