Macon-Bibb County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its Fiscal Year 2016 budget for the second consecutive year from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). In order to receive the award, Macon-Bibb’s budget document had to serve as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device, and then it had to be rated as proficient in each of those areas. To view the budget, click here.

According to GFOA, the award “reflects the commitment of the governing 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 effective budget presentation.” Highlights of the budget, as identified by GFOA, include:

• “A good budget message was provided that summarized the issues well.”
• “The relationship between the fund and county organizational structure is very clear.”
• “The budget includes a clear illustration of the changes to fund balances along with brief discussion of the implications.”
• “Well-presented and comprehensive.”
• “Excellent linkage between capital projects and strategic goals.”

“Our Budget Team is setting an expectation for the future of Macon-Bibb that we will produce documents that effectively communicate to the public how we’re using the funds provided to serve the entire county,” says Mayor Reichert. “They did an outstanding job working with the Commission, departments, Sheriff’s Office, courts, and external organizations to build a budget that funds services and meets the reductions mandated by consolidation.”

“We knew when we consolidated that budgeting would be difficult, and our teams and the Commission have gone above and beyond to meet the expectations of the public, including reducing the size of government and improving services,” says Operations and Finance Committee Chair Gary Bechtel.

“With almost $20 million in reductions since we consolidated, the true thanks should be directed to our department heads and elected officials for finding ways to serve the public more effectively with fewer resources,” says Assistant to the County Manager for Budget and Strategic Planning Julie Moore. “Their ability to make the difficult decisions and then adapt to a new way of operating is what has made this government a success.”

“Continuing to earn this award within a new system, a new structure, a new culture, less revenue, and a mandated reduction – all while listening to the needs of the Commission, the public, and departments – speaks very highly of the work that went into the final product,” says County Manager Dale Walker.

While this award recognizes the new Macon-Bibb County, it is an award that was earned by the former Bibb County 29 times and former City of Macon 22 times. 

About GFOA
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 GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.