Vaughan receives prestigious budgeting award for 14th consecutive year

The City of Vaughan has a sound approach to public finances – and efforts continue to be recognized. For the 14th consecutive year, the City is the recipient of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Vaughan’s 2022 Budget Book. 

This coveted award was presented in a ceremonial presentation during the Wednesday, Jan. 18 Special Committee of the Whole (Budget) meeting to Vaughan Council and City staff. 

The GFOA is a non-profit international association serving more than 21,000 government finance professionals throughout North America. 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 association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award encourages governments to prepare and issue budget documents of the highest quality. This ensures citizens are fully informed of the administration’s policies, corporate initiatives and financial plans. 

To receive this budget award, the City had to meet nationally recognized guidelines. These guidelines assessed how well Vaughan’s 2022 Budget Book served as a policy document, a financial plan, an operational guide and a communications device. Three independent reviewers rated it on 14 mandatory criteria in four different categories. 

Achieving this award reflects the City’s long-standing commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance within its budget process. It also demonstrates how effectively and efficiently the City is investing every tax-paying dollar it is entrusted with. 

Having successfully achieved this goal, the City’s Financial Planning, Development Finance and Financial Services departments have received certificates of recognition. This award comes in collaboration with the Office of Transformation and Strategy, and the Corporate and Strategic Communications department. 

QUOTES

“I am pleased to announce the City of Vaughan received the 2022 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the most prestigious award in government budgeting. This is the 14th consecutive year the City has received this award, which exemplifies our commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance. We take the management and stewardship of public funds seriously. Our staff delivers value for money through fair, accountable and award-winning practices, and our Council remains focused on maintaining the lowest and most competitive tax rates in the Greater Toronto Area. Our values are fundamental to Vaughan’s ongoing success and have positioned our city as a municipal leader in financial management in Ontario.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca 

“Congratulations to the City of Vaughan’s Financial Planning and Development Finance team, the Financial Services department, the Office of Transformation and Strategy, and the Corporate and Strategic Communications departments for their hard work and dedication to sound financial planning. The 2022 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is a significant achievement – and obtaining this recognition 14 years in a row is a testament to staff’s dedication to respecting taxpayers’ money and delivering quality public services that are relied on each day. Thank you for your fiscal leadership and commitment to open, accountable and transparent governance.”

- City Manager, Nick Spensieri 

QUICK FACTS

• The City of Vaughan received the 2022 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its fiscal budget year beginning Jan. 1, 2022.
• This is the 14th consecutive year the City of Vaughan has been recognized with this coveted award.
• The City of Vaughan’s 2022 Budget Book was assessed on how well it served as a policy document, a financial plan, an operational guide and a communications device. It was rated by three independent reviewers on 14 mandatory criteria in four different categories. 

LEARN MORE

• The City of Vaughan’s 2022 Budget Book.
• The City of Vaughan’s budget webpage.
• The Government Finance Officers Association’s webpage.