KISSIMMEE – For more than 30 years, the City of Kissimmee has been recognized for the clear communication and transparency of its annual financial reporting, a reoccurrence since 1989.
And yet again, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City’s Finance Department for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. The industry calls the award the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the program’s high standards, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read the report.
“Receiving these awards is not just an accolade for us to put on the wall,” said Shantavia Conner-Ritchie, Director of Finance. “It means we pride ourselves in going beyond the minimum to achieve the highest national standards in government finance set forth by the GFOA. We choose to void ourselves of the complacency moniker, and instead champion the true spirit of dedication and transparency in public finance.”
The City also received GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2023 budget. “Only 5% of governments in the United States receive this award. The last time the City received this award was over 20 years ago in 2001,” Ritchie added.
The City of Kissimmee hopes that these achievements will encourage other government officials to strive to maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting. In the near future, the City of Kissimmee’s goal is to inaugurally be recognized as a triple crown government. GFOA’s Triple Crown recognizes governments who have received GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. There are less than 30 entities in Florida with the triple crown designation, of which more than 15 are counties.
For more information about the City of Kissimmee visit, www.Kissimmee.gov.
