The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) announced that the City of Menlo Park has won its second straight award, covering the 2018-19 fiscal year. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is based on guidelines for effective budget presentation and includes criteria for how well the budget serves as a policy document, as a financial plan, as an operations guide, and as a communications device. Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in 14 mandatory categories to receive the award.

As expressed by the GFOA in its press release, "[t]he award represents a significant achievement by the [City]. It reflects a commitment of the [City Council] and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting." Of the 20 municipal government agencies in San Mateo County, only seven received the award for the same period.

The budget represents a concerted effort by the City Council, the community and staff to identify priorities, determine resource availability and make decisions about where to expend those resources.

For more information, please visit the Finance Division web page.