HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-15-2021; 4-b - Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 15, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
DEPARTMENT: Finance and Administrative
Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Attachment 1. GFOA Announcement
Letter to Orange County, Gary Donaldson, (919) 245-2453
GFOA Press Release, Paul Laughton, (919) 245-2152
and GFOA Award
Criteria
PURPOSE: To recognize the budget staff of the Orange County Finance and Administrative
Services Department for earning the Government Finance Officers' Association (GFOA)
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2020-21 fiscal year budget document.
BACKGROUND: GFOA is an internationally recognized organization that offers guidance and
support to local and state government budget and finance professionals throughout the United
States and Canada. The GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form
of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement by the
organization. Its attainment represents a major achievement by a governmental entity and its
budget team. In order to receive this award, the County's budget and capital planning documents
must meet stringent program criteria such as policy documents, operations guides, financial plans,
and communications devices.
This year marks the twenty-ninth year that Orange County has received the GFOA Distinguished
Budget Presentation Award. Eligibility standards and expectations for the award become more
stringent and rigorous each year. The County commends the budget staff for their ability to
consistently achieve the high standards required to receive this esteemed award.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact related to the recognition of this award.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There are no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impacts associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board recognize the budget staff
of the Finance and Administrative Services Department for the receipt of the GFOA Distinguished
Budget Award.
2
March 01,2021
Gary Donaldson
Chief Financial Officer
Orange County
405 Meadowlands Drive
Hillsborough,NC 27278
Dear Mr. Donaldson:
A panel of independent reviewers has completed its examination of your budget document. We are pleased
to inform you that the panel has voted to award your budget document the Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award from Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the current fiscal period
on a qualified basis. As you know, certain criteria of the Budget Awards Program are mandatory.
Normally,failure to satisfy one of the mandatory criteria as determined by two or all three reviewers would
preclude an organization from obtaining the award. Our review indicated that your budget document failed
to satisfy the following criteria:
Financial#8
Because of your organization's past participation in the Budget Awards Program, this deficiency will not
disqualify your budget document from receiving the award this year. However, failure to correct the
deficiency in your next submittal will almost certainly exclude your organization from receiving the award.
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is valid for one year. To continue your participation in the
program, it will be necessary to submit your next annual budget document to GFOA within 90 days of the
proposed budget's submission to the legislature or within 90 days of the budget's final adoption.Information
about how to submit an application for the Distinguished Budget Program application is posted on GFOA's
website.
Each program participant is provided with confidential comments and suggestions for possible
improvements to the budget document. Your comments are enclosed. We urge you to carefully consider
the suggestions offered by our reviewers as you prepare your next budget.
When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted to an entity, a Certificate of Recognition for
Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual(s) or department designated as being primarily
responsible for its having achieved the award. Enclosed is a Certificate of Recognition for Budget
Preparation for:
Finance Department
Continuing participants will receive a brass medallion that will be mailed separately. First-time recipients
will receive an award plaque within eight to ten weeks. Also enclosed is a camera-ready reproduction of
the award for inclusion in your next budget. If you reproduce the camera-ready image in your next budget,
it should be accompanied by a statement indicating continued compliance with program criteria. The
following standardized text should be used:
Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA)presented a
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to Orange County, North Carolina, for its Annual
Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 01,2020. In order to receive this award, a governmental
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unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as a
financial plan, as an operations guide, and as a communications device.
This award is valid for a period of one year only. We believe our current budget continues to
conform to program requirements,and we are submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for
another award.
A press release is enclosed.
Upon request, GFOA can provide a video from its Executive Director congratulating your specific entity
for winning the Budget Award.
We appreciate your participation in this program, and we sincerely hope that your example will encourage
others in their efforts to achieve and maintain excellence in governmental budgeting. The most current list
of award recipients can be found on GFOA's website at www.gfoa.org. If we can be of further assistance,
please contact the Technical Services Center at(312)977-9700.
Sincerely,
Michele Mark Levine
Director, Technical Services Center
Enclosure
4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 01,2021
For more information, contact:
Technical Services Center
Phone: (312)977-9700
Fax: (312) 977-4806
E-mail: bud2etawards(�2foa.or2
(Chicago,Illinois)--Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that Orange County,
North Carolina,has received GFOA's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.
The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing
body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget
award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These
guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as:
■ a policy document
■ a financial plan
■ an operations guide
■ a communications device
Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria
within those categories,to receive the award.
When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted to an entity, a Certificate of Recognition for
Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual(s) or department designated as being primarily
responsible for having achieved the award. This has been presented to Finance Department.
There are over 1,600 participants in the Budget Awards Program.The most recent Budget Award recipients,
along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA's website. Award
recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for
other governments throughout North America.
Government Finance Officers Association (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.
5
GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Distinguished
Budget Presentation
Award
PRESENTED TO
Orange County
North Carolina
For the Fiscal Year Beginning
July 01, 2020
OJV4-��e-
P ;""`moi
Executive Director
6
The Government Finance Officers Association
of the United States and Canada
presents this
CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR BUDGET PREPARATION
to
Finance Department
Orange County, North Carolina
The Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation is presented by the Government
Finance Officers Association to those individuals who have been instrumental in their
government unit achieving a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The
a�yG� OFFi�, Distinguished Budget Presentation Award,which is the highest award in governmental
OF THE budgeting, is presented to those government units whose budgets are judged to adhere
UNI TEAOSOTATES
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3S to program standards
CANAOA o
6 CORPORATION !
CHICAGO
Executive Director
Date: March 01, 2021
7
BUDGET REVIEW COMPOSITE RATING FORM
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Agency: Orange County, NC
Fiscal Year beginning: July 2020
Document number: 89943171 T
At least 2 of the three reviewers must rate the document "proficient" or "outstanding on all four overall categories and all mandatory criteria in order for the
document to receive the award
Information Not Present Does Not Satisfy Proficient Outstanding
(1) (2) (3) (4)
R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3 R1 R2 R3
Introduction and Overview
* C1 Table of contents (mandatory)
P1 Strategic goals & strategies
P2 Short-term organization-wide factors influencing decisions
* P3 Priorities and issues (mandatory)
* C2 Budget overview (mandatory)
Financial Structure, Policy, and Process
* 01 Organizational chart (mandatory)
F1 Fund descriptions and fund structure
02 Department/fund relationship
F2 Basis of budgeting
* P4 Financial policies (mandatory)
* P5 Budget process (mandatory)
Financial Summaries
* F3 Consolidated financial schedule (mandatory)
* F4 Three (four) year consolidated & fund financial schedules
(mandatory)
* F5 Fund balance (mandatory)
* F6 Revenues (mandatory)
F7 Long-range financial plans
Capital & Debt
* F8 Capital expenditures (mandatory)
F9 Impact of capital investments on operating budget
* F10 Debt (mandatory)
Departmental Information
* 03 Position summary schedule (mandatory)
* 04 Department descriptions (mandatory)
05 Unit goals and objectives
06 Performance measures
Document-wide Criteria
C3 Statistical/supplemental section
C4 Glossary
C5 Charts and graphs
C6 Understandability and usability
Overall
Overall as a policy document
Overall as a financial plan
Overall as a operations guide
Overall as a communications device
Special Capital recognition (three "outstanding ratings on F8
N and F9)
N Special Performance Measure recognition (three "outstanding"
ratings on 06)
8
Name of Entity: Orange County State/Province: NC
Reviewer ID R28 Document Number: B9943171
Fiscal Year: FYE 2021 Record Number: 156522003
Introduction and Overview
C 1. Mandatory: The document shall include a table of contents that makes it easier to locate
information in the document. Proficient.
P 1. The document should include a coherent statement of organization-wide, strategic goals
and strategies that address long-term concerns and issues. Proficient. In future budgets,
please identify specific strategic goals. These guidelines should then be linked to
departments or departmental objectives to allow the reader to better understand the
BOCC's long range plan and how departmental activities address these goals. If you have
a Strategic Plan, please include a summary that includes long range goals. This area
needs work.
P2. The document should describe the economic conditions and intergovernmental
considerations that influence the decisions made in the development for the budget cycle.
Outstanding. The transmittal letter addresses the impact of the pandemic on the budget
and the steps taken to bring the budget into balance with the caveat that some of these
resources will not be available in the future should the pandemic continue. Clear
descriptions of transfers, fund balance appropriations and use of selected reserves. Well
done.
P3. Mandatory: The document shall include a budget message that articulates priorities and
issues for the budget cycle. The message should describe significant changes in priorities.
The message may take one of several forms (e.g., transmittal letter, budget summary
section).Outstanding. The Manager's message discusses the impact of the pandemic on
all areas of the budget and the steps taken to adjust resulting in this budget. Functional
areas and departments are discussed with adjustments made and how they are supported.
The fact that the reevaluation process is being delayed due to distancing concerns
illustrates the long reach of the impacts. The Manager is clear in stating that mandated
services and those related to public health and safety will not be impacted. Long term
austerity measures are mentioned due to the uncertainty of the length of the pandemic.
Written in realistic terms with solutions provided. Well done.
C2. Mandatory: The document should provide an overview of significant budgetary items
and trends. An overview should be presented within the budget document either in a
separate section (e.g., executive summary) or integrated within the transmittal letter or as
a separate budget-in-brief document. Proficient. Budgetary issues are discussed, and
summary financials are presented. Nice job.
Financial Structure, Policy, and Process
01. Mandatory: The document shall include an organization chart(s) for the entire entity
Proficient. Criteria met.
F1. The document should include and describe all funds that are subject to appropriation.
Proficient. Funds are clearly defined.
Orange County,NC Page 1
9
02. The document should provide narrative, tables, schedules, or matrices to show the
relationship between functional units, major funds, and non-major funds in the aggregate.
Proficient. Criteria met.
F2. The document shall explain the basis of budgeting for all funds, whether cash, modified
accrual, or some other statutory basis. Proficient. Criteria met.
P4. Mandatory: The document should include a coherent statement of entity-wide long-term
financial policies. Proficient. Policies are included. Do you have a practice in place for
regular review of all policies for on going relevance and adherence to mandates? If so,
please mention.
P5. Mandatory: The document shall describe the process for preparing, reviewing, and
adopting the budget for the coming fiscal year. It also should describe the procedures for
amending the budget after adoption. Proficient. Thanks for emphasizing the importance
of BOCC goals in the budget process. Nice job.
Financial Summaries
F3. Mandatory: The document shall present a summary of major revenues and expenditures,
as well as other financing sources and uses, to provide an overview of the total resources
budgeted by the organization. Proficient. Effective presentation.
F4. Mandatory: The document must include summaries of revenues and other financing
sources and of expenditures and other financing uses for the prior year actual, the current
year budget and/or estimated current year actual, and the proposed budget year.
Proficient. Criteria met.
F5. Mandatory: The document shall include projected changes in fund balances for
appropriated governmental funds. Proficient. Criteria met.
F6. Mandatory: The document shall describe major revenue sources, explain the underlying
assumptions for the revenue estimates, and discuss significant revenue trends.
Proficient. Effective presentation of revenue sources/assumptions/trends. Please
consider adding an historical graphic for sales tax receipts.
F7. The document should explain long-range financial plans and its affect upon the budget
and the budget process. Information not present. Unable to locate any long-term
financial plans or narratives of long-term initiatives.
Capital & Debt
F8. Mandatory: The document should include budgeted capital expenditures, whether
authorized in the operating budget or in a separate capital budget. Proficient. Projects to
be funded in 2020/2021 are listed. If you have a long-term CIP, please consider
presenting summary financials for the life of the plan.
F9. The document should describe if and to what extent significant nonrecurring capital
expenditures will affect the entity's current and future operating budget and the services
that the entity provides. Information not present. While only year one of the CIP is
approved, there could be impacts for these projects. Please include. Needs work.
1710. Mandatory: The document shall include financial data on current debt obligations,
describe the relationship between current debt levels and legal debt limits, and explain the
effects of existing debt levels on current operations. Proficient. Debt management is
discussed, bond ratings included, and outstanding issues are listed. Please consider
adding the purpose of each issue in future budgets.
Orange County,NC Page 2
10
Departmental Information
03. Mandatory: A schedule or summary table of personnel or position counts for prior,
current and budgeted years shall be provided. Proficient. Criteria met.
04. Mandatory: The document shall describe activities, services or functions carried out by
organizational units. Proficient. Departments are clearly defined and include financials,
major services, outcomes for the current year, and budget year objectives and
performance data. Thanks for including details for the education budget. Nice job.
05. The document should include clearly stated goals and objectives of organizational units
(e.g., departments, divisions, offices or programs). Proficient. Departmental objectives
are presented but there is no visible linkage to long term BOCC goals. See comment in
P 1. Linking a department to an overall broad goal is far easier that linking each
objective. Please see sample at the end of the review for a linked presentation. Please
note the sample is not from a Board department.
06. The document should provide objective measures of progress toward accomplishing the
government's mission as well as goals and objectives for specific units and programs.
Proficient. Measures are presented. Continue to work on measures that clearly link to
departmental objectives (that should link to overall goals.)
Document-wide Criteria
C3. The document should include statistical and supplemental data that describe the
organization. Proficient. The location and content of the early profile are effective. At
the conclusion of this piece, please direct the reader to page 470 for additional
demographics.
C4. A glossary should be included for any terminology (including abbreviations and
acronyms) that is not readily understandable to a reasonably informed lay reader.
Proficient.
C5. Charts and graphs should be used, where appropriate, to highlight financial and statistical
information. Narrative interpretation should be provided when the messages conveyed by
the graphs are not self-evident. Proficient. Graphics are relevant and well-placed.
C6. The document should be produced and formatted in such a way as to enhance its
understanding by the average reader. It should be attractive, consistent, and oriented to
the reader's needs. Proficient.
The budget as a policy document: Overall proficient
The budget as a financial plan: Overall proficient
The budget as an operations guide: Overall proficient
The budget as a communication device: Overall proficient
General comments:
You have produced and informative document. Despite the unfavorable conditions during
development, the budget is effective.
Suggested priorities for improving the budget presentation:
Included in review.
Noteworthy pages or unique item/presentation:
Detailed presentation of non-departmentals; Process for agencies to be funded
Orange County,NC Page 3
11
O 5 O 6 The 2020/2021 budget for Pitt County,NC provides a simple method to link overall
goals, objectives and measures within each department.
CIO
PUBLIC 1 y 1
00
IF
� cn�
COUNTYWIDE GOAL(S) SUPPORTED
• To promote quality education
• To enrich the quality of life for Pitt County citizens through opportunities for improved health and
welfare
• To promote the provision of and access to recreational activities for County citizens
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, &PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Goal: To provide timely;relevant County government information to the citizens of Pitt County.
Objective Actual Actual Target
Performance Indicators FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21
Increase exposure to Pitt County Government
services,programs and information
Increase public awareness by producing 'I'Io 132 1 Qo
new video content for PittTv and online
• Produce Stay Connected Newspaper Ad 20 21 2-r
Goal: Build and Maintain a Strong Media Presence.
Objective Actual Actual Target
Performance Indicators FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 FY 2020-21
Distribute News,Information and Services to
the Press
Produce News Releases 5 :=0
Establish a new social media policy and June 3.i: omplete June 30
schedule initial trainings for administration
Orange County,NC Page 4
12
REC156522003 DOCB9943171
Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Reviewer: R953
Name of Entity: Orange County, NC
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW:
#C1. Mandatory:The document shall include a table of contents that makes it easier to locate
information in the document. A variety of formats may be used. Details indices preceding individual
sections can be helpful, but they are not a substitute for a single comprehensive table of contents. Table
of contents is included and provides the required information.
#P1: Strategic goals and strategies: the document should include a coherent statement of
organization-wide, strategic goals and strategies that address long-term concerns and issues: this
criterion relates to the long-term, entity-wide, strategic goals that provide the context for decisions
within the annual budget. Consider including action plans or strategies on how the goals will be
achieved. Outstanding.
#P2: The document should describe the entity's short-term factors that influence the decisions made
in the development of the budget for the upcoming year.This criterion requires a discussion of the key
factors that guide the development of the upcoming year's budget. Factors that might be included
relates to: salary, and benefit guidelines,fees, capital improvements, program enhancements, or
reductions,tax levels, use of reserves, service-level assumptions, unfunded mandates, economic
development strategies, inflation assumptions, and demographic assumptions.
#P3 Priorities and issues (mandatory)-The document shall include a budget message that articulates
priorities and issues for the upcoming year.The message should describe significant changes in priorities
from the current year and explain the factors that led to those changes.The message may take one of
several forms print this,The (transmittal letter, budget summary section). This criterion requires a
summary explanation of key issues and decisions made during the budget process.The budget message
also should address the ramifications of these decisions. It is recommended that the total amount of the
budget be included in the budget message. The budget message provided good information to the
stakeholders.
#C2. The document should provide an overview of significant budgetary items and trends. An
overview should be presented within the budget document either in a separate section or integrated
within the transmittal letter or as a separate budget in brief document.The intent of this criterion is to
encourage presentations that allow the reader to quickly grasp the major budgetary issues,trends, and
choices addressed in the budget.This criterion encourages creative and innovative efforts in
communicating the significant information in the budget to the reader.This is often referred to as the
"popular budget" and, in many organizations, is also published in a separate document. However,this
criterion encourages inclusion of summary information in the budget document, so that it is a
consolidated and comprehensive document which is also easy to read.
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REC156522003 DOCB9943171
FINANCIAL STRUCTURE, POLICY, and PROCESS
#01. Organization charts (mandatory). The document shall include an organization chart for
the entire entity.This criterion requires that an organizational chart be presented only for the overall
entity. Organizational charts for individual units are not required. When organizational charts are
provided for individual units within the entity,those chart should be presented in such a way as to the
link between individual units and the overall entity. Proficient.
#F1 Fund description and fund structure-the document should include and describe all funds that
are subject to appropriation. Showing and entities budgetary fund structure is essential for
understanding is financial configuration. An overview of the budgeted funds should be included in the
document.The overview should include each major fund's name and either an indication whether the
fund is a governmental, proprietary, or fiduciary funds; OR an indication of the fund type of each fund.
Any fund whose revenues are expenditures excluding other financing sources and uses, constitute more
than 10%of the revenues are expenditures of the appropriated budget should be considered a major
fund for this purpose. This section is proficient.
#02. Departments/fund relationship.The document should provide narrative,tables, schedules, or
matrices to show the relationship between functional units, major funds, and non-major funds in the
aggregate.The matrix is one way to show this relationship that is very effective. Fund relationship is
included.
#F2. Basis of budgeting.The document shall explain the basis of budgeting for all funds, whether
cash, modified accrual, or some other statutory basis.The document should clearly identify the basis of
budgeting employed by the entity for each category funds represent of(governmental, proprietary, and
fiduciary). If the basis of budgeting is identical to the basis of accounting used in the audited fund
financial statements in the basic financial statements for summer all categories of funds,that fact
should be clearly stated. Differences between basis of budgeting and the basis of accounting should be
identified. The information is not specifically included. I suggest a highlight or title section and specific
information on the budgetary basis.
#134. Financial policies (Mandatory)-The document should include a coherent statement of entity-wide
long-term financial policies.This criterion requires a discussion of the long-term financial policies.
Financial policies it should be included(but not limited to(and formally adopted relate to#1 financial
planning policies,#2 revenue policies, and#3 expenditure policies.The entity should adopt a policy that
defines a balanced budget, and indicate whether the budget presented is balanced.The entity should
adopt a policy that supports the financial planning process that assesses the long-term financial
implications of current and proposed operating and capital budgets, budget policies, and cash
management and investment policies. Proficient.
#P5. Budget process (Mandatory)-the document shall describe the process for preparing, reviewing,
and adopting the budget for the coming fiscal year. It also should describe the procedures for amending
the budget after adoption.This criterion requires a concise narrative description of the budget process,
including an explanation of relevant legal or policy requirements.This description should include the
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REC156522003 DOCB9943171
internal process to prepare the budget, the opportunities for public input, and for the actual adoption of
the budget. A budget calendar should be included noting both key operating capital dates. Although
amending the budget after adoption should be covered.The description of the amendment process
should identify the level at which the governing body must approve the changes. Proficient.
FINANCIAL SUMMARIES
#F3. Consolidated financials schedule(Mandatory)-The document shall present a summary of major
revenues and expenditures, as well as other financing sources and uses, to provide an overview of the
total resources budgeted by the organization.This criterion requires a summary of the revenues and
other financing sources and expenditures and other financing uses of all appropriated funds in one place
in the budget document. Other funds may be included in the schedule but appropriated funds must be
included. Proficient.
#F4. Three (Four)Year Consolidated and Fund Financial Schedules (Mandatory). Document must
include summaries of revenues and other financing sources and of expenditures and other financing
uses for the prior year actual,the current year budget and/or estimated current year actual, and the
proposed budget year. The criterion requires a schedule that includes both revenues and other financing
sources and expenditures and other financing uses for at least three budget years:Prior year, current
year and budget year. The data for the prior year should be actual revenues and expenditures. However,
the entity may choose whether to use current budget year and/or estimated figures. Proficient.
F5-Mandatory-The document shall include projected changes in fund balances as defined by
the entity in the document, for appropriated governmental funds included in the budget
presentation (fund equity if not governmental funds are included in the document). Fund
balance change is included on the pages that you have indicated. Remember that this criterion
requires that beginning and ending fund balances, as defined by the entity in the budget
document, be shown for the budget year, as well as revenues, expenditures and other financing
sources/uses. Proficient.
F6-Revenues-The document shall describe major revenue sources, explain the underlying
assumptions for the revenue estimates, and discuss significant revenue trends. The revenues
are included. Make sure that all sources are identified and described.
F7. Long-range financial plans-Planning is an essential part of any budget process. The backbone of this
document should be the projected financial planning for your entity for the coming year. Legislators
and administrators are constantly aware of any changes in public perception. The document shall
explain long-range financial plans and its effect upon the budget and the budget process. The
criterion requires the identification of long-range financial plans that extend beyond the budget year.
The impacts of the long-range financial plan upon the current budget and future years should be
noted. This section does not satisfy the criterion.
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REC156522003 DOCB9943171
F8. Capital expenditures (Mandatory) The capital projects fund should provide program functions,
revenue trends, and assumptions. This information is specific to your entity. However, each project
should be evaluated for associated costs. Does not satisfy criterion.
F9. Impact of Capital investments on operating budget. The impact on the capital investments should
clearly be stated. When the budget is developed or a new capital infrastructure built, the information
should include any operational or residual capital costs associated with it. Impact of Capital Investments
on Operating Budget-the document should describe if and to what extent significant nonrecurring capital
expenditures will affect the entity's current and future operating budget and the services that the entity
provides. Does not satisfy criterion.
F10. Debt-the document provides a clear statement of debt policies and debt ratios.Schedules should be
in place to show the amount of debt for this entity. Proficient.
03 Position Summary-The number of full-time equivalent positions is included.Job titles and other
information are also associated with this document. Proficient.
04. Department descriptions-Each Department includes a description of the services and functions
performed therein. A description of services provided will provide legislators with information on the
value of the services provided.
05 Unit goals and objectives the strategies/actions provide information on goals and objectives. The
information is not provided. The document should include clearly stated goals and objectives of
organizational units. Proficient.
06 Performance Measures-These measures are included in the budget document. Make sure that these
performance measurements are viable and that they are accurately measuring this information that
stakeholders and legislators will require understanding the operations of this city. The document
provides objective measures of progress toward accomplishing the government's mission as well as
goals and objectives for specific units and programs. Proficient.
C3 Statistical Information-this statistical information is informative and interesting to the citizen
stakeholder, legislator, and administration of your entity. This information is included within this
budget document. I suggest that it could be expanded.
C4. Glossary-The glossary is included in this document. Make sure that it is updated annually in order to
give the stakeholders the proper information on your budget.
C5. Charts and Graphs-The charts and graphs are included and well done. The revenue section is
effective as you have many charts to support the verbiage included in your summation.
C6. Understandability and usability.-The document is formatted in a way that makes it very easy to
navigate. The pages are numbered correctly, the page orientation is followed.
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REC156522003 DOCB9943171
You have submitted a good document for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. I would like to
congratulate your staff on the obvious work that has been done. I suggest that you work to include
the items that are missing or do not satisfy the criterion. Congratulations.
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Name of Entity: ORANGE COUNTY State/Province: NC
Reviewer ID V691 Document Number B9943171
Fiscal Year: 2020-2021 Record Number 156522003
Introduction and Overview
Cl. Mandatory.- The document shall include a table of contents that makes it easier to locate information in the
document.Proficient
P1. The document should include a coherent statement of organization-wide, strategic goals and strategies that address
long-term concerns and issues.Proficient,
P2. The document should describe the entity's short-term factors that influence the decisions made in the development of
the budget for the upcoming year.Proficient
P3. Mandatory: The document shall include a budget message that articulates priorities and issues for the upcoming year.
The message should describe significant changes in priorities from the current year and explain the factors that led to
those changes. The message may take one of several forms (e.g., transmittal letter, budget summary .rection). Proficient,
document includes sources and changes in revenue.
C2. Mandatory: The document should provide an overview of significant budgetary items and trends. An overview
should be presented within the budget document either in a separate section (e.g., executive summary)or integrated within
the transmittal letter or as a separate budget-in-brief document.Proficient
Financial Structure, Policy, and Process
01. Mandatory.- The document shall include an organization chart(s) for the entire entity. Proficient
F1. The document should include and describe all funds that are subject to appropriation. Proficient
02. The document should provide narrative, tables, schedules, or matrices to show the relationship between functional
units,major funds,and nonmajor funds in the aggregate. Proficient
F2. The document shall explain the basis of budgeting for all funds, whether cash, modified accrual, or some other
statutory basis. Proficient
P4. Mandatory,.- The document should include a coherent statement of entity-wide long-term financial policies.
Proficient
P5. Mandatory.- The document shall describe the process for preparing, reviewing, and adopting the budget for the
coming fiscal year.It also should describe the procedures for amending the budget after adoption. Proficient
Financial Summaries
F3. Mandatory: The document shall present a summary of major revenues and expenditures, as well as other financing
sources and uses,to provide an overview of the total resources budgeted by the organization. Proficient, the use of
charts provided an overview for the user of the document on expenditures and revenue.
F4. Mandatory.- The document must include summaries of revenues and other financing sources, and of expenditures
and other financing uses for the prior year actual,the current year budget and/or estimated current year actual,and the
proposed budget year. Proficient,
F5. Mandatory: The document shall include projected changes in fund balances, as defined by the entity in the
document, for appropriated governmental funds included in the budget presentation (fund equity if no governmental
funds are included in the document). Proficient
F6. Mandatory.- The document shall describe major revenue sources,explain the underlying assumptions for the revenue
estimates,and discuss significant revenue trends. Proficient
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F7. The document should explain long-range financial plans and its affect upon the budget and the budget process. Does
not meet requirement,refer to Financial Forecasting in the BudgetPreparation Process ( foa.or
Capital& Debt
F8. Mandatory,:The document should include budgeted capital expenditures,whether authorized in the operating budget
or in a separate capital budget. Does not meet requirement,refer to Capital Budget Presentation foa.org)
F9. The document should describe if and to what extent significant nonrecurring capital expenditures will affect the
entity's current and future operating budget and the services that the entity provides. Does not meet requirement,
refer to Capital Budget Presentation foa.org)
F10. Mandatory: The document shall include financial data on current debt obligations,describe the relationship between
current debt levels and legal debt limits, and explain the effects of existing debt levels on current operations.
Proficient
Departmental Information
03. Mandatory,:A schedule or summary table of personnel or position counts for prior, current and budgeted years shall
be provided. Proficient
04. Mandatory: The document shall describe activities, services or functions carried out by organizational units.
Proficient
05. The document should include clearly stated goals and objectives of organizational units (e.g., departments, divisions, offices
orprograms). Proficient
06. The document should provide objective measures of progress toward accomplishing the government's mission as well
as goals and objectives for specific units and programs. Proficient.
Document-wide Criteria
C3. The document should include statistical and supplemental data that describe the organization, its community, and
population. It should also furnish other pertinent background information related to the services provided.
Proficient,met requirements
C4. A glossary should be included for any terminology (including abbreviations and acronyms) that is not readily
understandable to a reasonably informed lay reader. Proficient
C5. Charts and graphs should be used, where appropriate, to highlight financial and statistical information. Narrative
interpretation should be provided when the messages conveyed by the graphs are not self-evident. Proficient,use of
charts enhanced the budget document.
C6. The document should be produced and formatted in such a way as to enhance its understanding by the average reader.
It should be attractive,consistent,and oriented to the reader's needs. Proficient
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