The Government Finance Officers Association of the
United States and Canada (GFOA) announced November 13 that the South Orange County
Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement in Excellence
in Financial Reporting for its most recently completed fiscal year budget.
The award is the gold standard in financial reporting and was created by GFOA to recognize
public agencies that prioritize transparency to the public.
“It’s an honor to have SOCWA’s financial reporting recognized among the most transparent in
local government,” said Betty Burnett, SOCWA’s general manager. “As a 10-member Joint
Powers Authority, our budget and financial reporting is complex. Our staff does a remarkable job
each year ensuring it is managed with precision. This award is a testament to their hard work,
abilities and service.”
Earning this award is an especially high honor for SOCWA, as its nearly $60 million budget
intricately tracks contributions from its member agencies, funding necessary capital
improvement projects, environmental protection projects and cost-saving maintenance
measures.
SOCWA’s financial reports were judged by an impartial panel assembled by GFOA and was
recognized for its ease of use by end users, such as SOCWA member agencies and the public.
“The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting
and financial reporting,” wrote Michelle Mark Levine, Director of Technical Services for GFOA.
“Congratulations, again, for having satisfied the high standards of the program.”
GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving nearly 17,800 government finance
professionals throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation
Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.
