Government Finance Officers Assoc. salutes BCHD for excellence in budget presentation

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) for its Annual Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020. To receive this award, a governmental unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as a financial plan, as an operations guide, and as a communications device.

“This is the second time BCHD has won this award (BCHD was also honored in 2020). Moreover, to receive special recognition for performance measures, what a great achievement,” said Chris Morrill, GFOA Executive Director. “To earn the distinguished budget presentation award, BCHD met demanding program criteria. Such a record reflects a professionalism, commitment and dedication of your organization’s leaders. We hope that this award to BCHD will serve as an example to others, encouraging them to strive for the same high standards in their own budget documents.”
According to GFOA, “This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. Its attainment represents a significant achievement by your organization.” In addition to receiving the award, the BCHD budget was acknowledged for Special Performance Measures Recognition by GFOA.

“The way this report highlights the performance measures and department summaries really stands out and the GFOA took notice of these successes,” said Tom Bakaly, CEO for BCHD. “(CFO) Monica Suua and our Finance team work very hard to consistently and accurately provide this information to our community and this recognition validates their dedication and efforts on behalf of BCHD.”

Last fall, GFOA awarded BCHD its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The GFOA calls the Certificate of Achievement “the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.”

GFOA also recognizes the individual(s) or department designated by the government entity as primarily responsible for its having earned the Certificate. At BCHD, this award has been sent to CFO Monica Suua, and her five-person Finance Department team.
BCHD also recently received an Excellence Award for its 2019-20 operating budget from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO). BCHD is the only health district to meet the CSMFO standards of excellence and has received 16 CSMFO Excellence or Meritorious Awards since the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
BCHD’s budgetary practices are available to the public online and the budget is reviewed by the District’s resident advisory Finance Committee and discussed at public Board meetings. An annual report with an overview is also mailed to Beach Cities households each year.

VIDEO: Chris Morrill of GFOA congratulates BCHD for its Outstanding Budget Presentation Award: GFOA Congratulations Video