The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has presented Forsyth County with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the county’s 2015 budget book. This marks the third consecutive year the county has received the award, which is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement.

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

The budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories and the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award.

“Receipt of this award reflects Forsyth County’s commitment to financial transparency and to making quality financial information accessible to our citizens,” Director of Finance/CFO David Gruen said. “We are certainly proud that Forsyth County has been recognized with this award for the third year in a row and commend everyone who was involved in the project.”