The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award has been given to Washington Country by the Government Finance Officers Association.

WASHINGTON COUNTRY, MD (September 13, 2025) – The Washington Country Office of Budget and Finance is proud to announce that Washington Country, Maryland, has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Document.This prestigious award represents a significant achievement and reflects the Country’s strong commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.“We are honored to receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from GFOA. This recognition highlights the dedication of our Budget and Finance team and the Country as a whole to transparency, accountability, and excellence in financial planning. Our goal is to ensure the budget serves not only as a financial document but also as a clear and accessible resource for our community,” Chief Financial Officer Kelcee Mace said.

“This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Budget and Finance team,” said Washington Country Administrator Michelle Gordon. “It reflects the County’s commitment to sound financial management and to providing our residents with a budget that is transparent, responsible, and aligned with the needs of our community.”

To receive the award, Washington Country’s budget had to meet nationally recognized guidelines that evaluate how well the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications tool.

Public organizations that fulfill the strict requirements set forth by the GFOA for budget presentation are granted the prize, which is considered the highest accolade in governmental budgeting. These guidelines are intended to guarantee that a budget is more than just a financial plan. To earn this distinction, Washington Country’s budget documents were evaluated against nationally recognized guidelines. Reviewers evaluated the nation’s ability to explain its strategic objectives, clarify its financial strategies, and give stakeholders and taxpayers easily understandable information.

This honor is a tribute to our finance team’s diligence and commitment to providing honest and open service to our community.

The Government Finance Officers Association, based in Chicago, serves more than 21,000 members across the U.S. and Canada.

As part of the review process, GFOA evaluators commended Washington Country’s submission, noting: