Hanover Township recognized for budgeting excellence

Hanover Township has received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its FY 2013 budget.

According to the GFOA, the award reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. Guidelines from the GFOA 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 then 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

“We take pride in preparing a budget that breaks down the taxpayer's monies in a professional and effective presentation,” said Brian P. McGuire, Hanover Township supervisor. “This award continues with our trend of open and honest government at Hanover Township.”

This past spring Hanover Township was recognized by the Illinois Policy Institute as the most transparent township in Illinois for posting budget documents, tax levies and other information online.

“Only 2 percent of all local governments in the country receive this award,” said James Barr, Hanover Township administrator. “This recognition reflects the dedication of the township board, the finance committee and the hard work of staff who spent many hours compiling the documents.”

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving 17,500 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.