City receives budget awards

Provided.

Finance Department (from left to right): Daisy Wee, Anna Frescas, Christie Copas, Hamed Jones, Sue Wier and Hillorie Thomas.

The City of Tehachapi's Finance Department received the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers Operating Budget Excellence Award for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year, and the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.

The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award represents the COT Finance Department's commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the award, the finance department had to meet nationally recognized guidelines for how well the budget serves as a policy document, financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. This is the fifth year the city has received this award.

The finance department received a 100% score on the CSMFO Operating Budget Award. The award category average is 86%. The award for the 2023-24 Fiscal Year shows the department's dedication to continuing to strive for excellence in balancing and reporting the City of Tehachapi's budget.

"This is something I have not seen in all of my years receiving a 100%," said Finance Director Hamed Jones. "It's truly a team effort and I'm very proud to receive this for the city."