RELEASE: Lynnwood Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lynnwood Receives Distinguished Budget Award
Government Finance Officers Association Recognizes Lynnwood's 2017/2018 Adopted Biennial Budget Book

LYNNWOOD, WA (September 12, 2017) - During last night's City Council Meeting, Mayor Nicola Smith and Finance Director Sonja Springer announced that the City of Lynnwood has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the City's 2017-2018 Adopted Biennial Budget Book.

This national award represents a significant achievement by the City of Lynnwood as it reflects the commitment of the City Council, the Mayor and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines and adhere to best practices for effective budget preparation and presentation.

The following guidelines were used by GFOA to assess how well the City’s budget serves the public as:

• A Policy Document that clearly sets forth community goals;
• A Financial Plan that demonstrates careful alignment of expected revenues and expenditures;
• An Operations Guide communicating how our structured budget process achieves industry best practices; and
• A Communications Device that conveys our financial objectives for the biennium.

This is the first time since 2009 that the City of Lynnwood has received the GFOA Budget Award. Mayor Nicola Smith attributes this award to several key factors including the new Budgeting for Outcomes process which places a greater emphasis on priorities and achievable goals.

"One of my top priorities has been to bring greater accuracy, transparency, strategy, and accountability to our City's finances," said Mayor Nicola Smith. "Finance Director Springer and her team have done just that by aligning our financial policies with industry best practices and providing our community with clear and easy to understand budget documents."

The award winning budget book can be viewed online or a printed copy is available for viewing at City Hall. The Community Budget Transparency tool, often referred to as the 'Open Checkbook', is another tool that community members can use to interact and explore details of the adopted budget. The Community Budget Transparency tool can be accessed by visiting www.LynnwoodWA.gov/CBT.

Finance Director Sonja Springer was joined by Finance team members Corbitt Loch, Debbie Karber, and Marilou Moore, as she announced Lynnwood's GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to City Council last night.

About the GFOA

Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. 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 is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington D.C.

About City of Lynnwood

Incorporated in 1959, Lynnwood is the economic hub of South Snohomish County. Situated at the convergence of interstates I- 5 and I-405, Lynnwood’s accessibility, variety of housing and employment options, colleges and outstanding park system attract a wide variety of businesses and residents. For its diverse population of more than 36,000, Lynnwood is a great place to live, work and play. Lynnwood Moving Forward: Our Community Vision – the City will be a regional model for a sustainable, vibrant community with engaged citizens and accountable government. Lynnwood is…a great deal more!

Contact:

Julie Moore, Public Affairs Officer
jmoore@LynnwoodWA.gov
425-670-5023

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