Norman has earned a national budget award for the 36th consecutive year.
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), a Chicago-based organization, granted the city its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year ending 2027 budget documents, according to a city announcement. The city was notified of the award on Monday, Nov. 2.
The recognition places Norman among approximately 1,900 governments across North America that participate in the program, according to the GFOA. To qualify, a budget document must be rated "proficient" in four categories and across 14 mandatory criteria, according to the city. Those categories evaluate whether the budget functions as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications tool.
"Receiving this recognition for the 36th consecutive year speaks to the dedication and hard work of our Finance Department and the City's continued commitment to responsible financial planning and transparency," Jamie Vaughn, budget manager for the City of Norman, said in the announcement.
The GFOA established the Budget Awards Program in 1984 to encourage state and local governments to prepare high-quality budget documents. The program follows guidelines from the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA's own best practices. The association serves more than 25,000 members, according to the city's announcement.
Along with the award, the Norman Finance Department received a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation, given to the department primarily responsible for achieving the honor.
Residents can view Norman's budget documents on the city's finance page.
