County Earns Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Thirty-Third Consecutive Year

Leon County Government is proud to announce it has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (Oct. 1, 2022–Sept. 30, 2023) from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This is the thirty-third consecutive year Leon County has received this award from GFOA.
 
The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. The award represents a significant achievement by Leon County as it reflects the commitment of the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and staff to meet the highest principles of financial stewardship. This year, Leon County also received special recognition for the Strategic Goals and Strategies category, which signifies that all GFOA reviewers rated the County FY 2023 budget as “outstanding.”
 
“This award further demonstrates the County’s commitment to ensure the hard-earned tax dollars of our residents are being spent sensibly and cautiously,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Nick Maddox. "I am extremely proud of what Leon County has accomplished to support the County’s strategic initiatives and meet the needs of our community.”
 
Leon County remains dedicated to providing the most fiscally responsible budget possible each year. This distinguished award recognizes the County’s ability to exercise responsible stewardship of County resources and sound financial management while ensuring the provision of services and community enhancements are done in a fair and equitable manner.
 
“With the leadership of the Board, the dedication of our talented staff, and the active engagement of citizens and partners, Leon County continues to ensure its long-term fiscal viability,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “The development of the annual budget is not only a year-round process but an ongoing multi-year process. This award confirms that the County is as well-positioned as any organization to address our community’s most pressing needs, now and in the future.”
 
In FY 2023, the budget included the following highlights that positively positioned Leon County for the future:

• No increases in the countywide or EMS property tax rates, and no increases to the stormwater, solid waste, and fire non-ad valorem assessments;
• Allocating millions of dollars in funding to support strategic, long-term infrastructure investments that maintain core capital assets, including thousands of acres of parks and trails, numerous playgrounds, miles of sidewalks, hundreds of miles of roads, over two million square feet of facilities, hundreds of computers and file servers, and more;
• Allotting funds to address food insecurity and leverage partnerships with Second Harvest of the Big Bend by increasing access to food through a mobile pantry and creating a new County staff position focused on working closely with local non-profits to further engage and educate targeted neighborhoods;
• Distributing capital funding to support the Essential Libraries Initiative and enhance customer experience, technology, and space improvements;
• Restoring the County’s reserves after responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting both lives and livelihoods;
• Maximized all federal and ARPA funding, having expended CARES funding and now closing out ERA programs;
• Ensuring a high-performing workforce with fair pay and equitable practices by implementing a market-based compensation study and a $15 County minimum wage effective October 1, 2022;
• New cost savings and avoidances of $3.39 million, bringing the total to $62.8 million since FY 2013.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for the thirty-third consecutive year,” said Leon County Office of Financial Stewardship Director Scott Ross. “By exercising responsible stewardship, we take pride in using best practices in budgeting, and this award is evident of that dedication.”
 
The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 20,500 members and the communities they serve. To learn more about GFOA, visit GFOA.org.
 
For more information, contact Scott Ross, Leon County Office of Financial Stewardship, at (850) 606-5100 / RossS@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

###