Third Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Given

The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2013-2014 budget by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). Chancellor Bruce Baron said, “Receiving the GFOA’s award for a third year and being the only California Community College to be so recognized is very high praise for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. This acknowledges the SBCCD’s commitment to utilizing best practices in all areas of planning, including the implementation of our fiscal policies and procedures. We are cognizant of our accountability to the taxpayers of the State of California and take our fiduciary responsibilities very seriously.” In addition to the award received by the SBCCD, the GFOA also presented a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation to Jose F. Torres, Director of Fiscal Services, as the individual designated as being primarily responsible for its having achieved the award. Torres said, “The team effort necessary to develop and implement the district’s budget requires a high level of expertise and attention to detail. Those involved met a standard of excellence that is again being recognized, of which I am very proud to be a part.” In its letter of announcement, the GFOA explained that “The award represents a significant achievement. It 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. 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.” The GFOA also noted that “Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and to provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.”