Headline Surfer photo by Henry Frederick / Althea Philord, shown here at New Smyrna Beach City Hall commission chambers, is head of the city's nationally-recognized finance department.NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- The City of New Smyrna Beach Finance Department has earned national recognition for meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting from the Government Finance Officers Association in Chicago.
"We have received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the current year's budget," said Finance Director Althea Philord. "It is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting."
The GFOA said the achievement reflects the city's commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
To receive the award, entities must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The Government Finance Officers Association guidelines assess how well an entity's budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.
The GFOA is a non-profit professional association serving nearly 17,400 finance professional throughout North America. Including fiscal 2010, over 1,289 entities received the award for proving "an excellent example for other entities," the association said.