At the Thursday night meeting of the Winder City Council, the City of Winder’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget was recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

The award represents a significant achievement and reflects the City’s commitment to meeting the highest standards in governmental budgeting. According to the GFOA, budgets are evaluated on how well they function as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device. 

To receive the award, the City’s budget document had to meet nationally recognized guidelines and be rated “proficient” in all four categories, as well as across 14 mandatory criteria. 

“This award reflects the professionalism, dedication, and collaboration of our Finance Department and leadership team,” said Ronnie Campbell, Winder’s Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance. “Preparing the budget is a comprehensive effort, and this recognition highlights the City’s commitment to transparency and strong financial planning.”

The GFOA’s Budget Awards Program includes more than 1,900 participants across North America and is designed to encourage governments to produce clear, accessible, and effective budget documents that build trust with the public. 

As part of the award, the City’s Finance Department also received a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation, acknowledging the individuals responsible for developing the award-winning document. 

The City of Winder previously received this recognition for its Fiscal Year 2022 budget presentation. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and is valid for one year.