City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

City of Lake Charles Receives Distinguished

Budget Presentation Award

The City of Lake Charles was recently informed by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) that it had received the GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its Fiscal Year 2012 budget.

Said the GFOA:

"The award represents a significant achievement by the entity.  It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principals of governmental budgeting.  In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.  These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as: a policy document; a financial plan; an operations guide; and a communications device. 

"Budget documents must be rated 'proficient' in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award."

A Certificate of Recognition was presented to Karen D. Harrell, Director of Finance.  It is presented to the individual or department designated as being primarily responsible for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

"Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America," the GFOA said.

Said Mayor Roach:

"We are extremely pleased that the City of Lake Charles has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award and that Karen Harrell, our finance director, has received a Certificate of Recognition.   This award speaks volumes to the professionalism and high standard of performance embraced by our Finance Department and its director."

Other Louisiana entities receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award were City of Alexandria, City of New Orleans, Baton Rouge-Parish of East Baton Rouge, Caddo Parish, Iberville Parish Council, Jefferson Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, and DeSoto Parish School Board.

The Government Finance Officers Association, a nonprofit professional association, serves nearly 17,400 government finance professionals in North America. 

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The City of Lake Charles fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.   For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see the City of Lake Charles website- www.cityoflakecharles.com  or call the Mayor's Action Line at (337) 491-1346, or contact the appropriate Department Head, or call the Title VI coordinator at (337) 491-1440.