Goleta awarded highest form of recognition in government budgeting for third year

GOLETA, Calif. – The city of Goleta was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the third consecutive year.

The city received the award for its two-year budget plan that covered fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, according to city spokesman Jaime Shaw.

The city first received the award in 2018 and has received it every year since, Shaw said.

“This is a great accomplishment for our team, and especially the special recognition for capital budgeting," said Finance Director Luke Rioux. "It reflects the many hours of effort and hard work that goes into budget development and producing a well-organized budget document our city can take pride in."

Rioux and city staff members put together a comprehensive budget plan that increases transparency and allows residents to easily see how money comes into the city and how it's spent, Shaw said.

The city also received its first Special Capital Recognition, which requires three outstanding ratings on the capital program from reviewers. In order to receive the award, recipients must satisfy nationally-recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation and the budget must serve as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device, Shaw said.

"The primary function of the city’s Finance Department is to ensure the financial integrity of the city by providing superior financial services, maintaining public trust, and promoting governmental efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in a transparent and easy to understand manner," he added.