Gurnee Park District receives N. American budget award

Gurnee Park District has received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its current year budget for the seventh consecutive year.

The award reflects 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. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, operation guideline and communication device. Budget documents must be rated proficient in all four categories, and in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award.

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

Director of Business Services Mike Szpylman took the lead on developing the budget document with the assistance of the Business Services Team.

"I am extremely pleased about this continued achievement," said Gurnee Park District Executive Director Susie Kuruvilla. "It is another example of the high standard of excellence that we strive for. I am very proud of our Business Services Team. Their efforts have made it possible to present a budget document to our Board of Commissioners and the community which is among the best and most comprehensive in the nation."

To date, Gurnee Park District has also received the GFOA Award for excellence in financial reporting for its annual financial report for the last 18 years.