GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation AwardCopyrighted
November 18, 2024
City of Dubuque ACTION ITEMS # 3.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
SUMMARY: City Manager transmitting the notification of the City of
Dubuque receiving the Government Finance Officers
Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the
19th consecutive year.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award_MVM
Memo_2024_11_13
2. 2025 GFOA Distinguished Budget Award Staff Memo_2024_11_13
3. Certificate of Recognition, Finance Department
4. 1 - Result Letter - Awarded with Special Recognition
5. 2 - Scores and Comments
6. 3 - Budget Award
7. 4 - Press Release
Page 1349 of 1454
THE CITY OF
DUB E-E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
DATE: November 13, 2024
Dubuque
All -America City
waKnu�na �� �„t
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson is transmitting the notification of the City of
Dubuque receiving the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award for the 19t" consecutive year.
In addition to receiving the award, the City's budget received special recognition for
strategic goals and strategies. Special recognition is given when all three reviewers give
the highest possible score in a particular category.
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in
governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a
significant accomplishment by Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Larson, Budget Manager
Laura Bendorf, Budget/Financial Analyst Joe Link, and Budget/Financial Analyst Robyn
Hosch, and the entire city team.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jml
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Bendorf, Budget Manager
Joe Link, Budget/Financial Analyst
Robyn Hosch, Budget/Financial Analyst
Page 1350 of 1454
THE C
DUUB-.'*-TE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jennifer Larson, Chief Financial Officer
SUBJECT: GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
DATE: November 13, 2024
Dubuque
AII•Anerb City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
The City of Dubuque has been awarded its 19th consecutive Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for
Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025. In addition to receiving the award, the City's budget
received special recognition for strategic goals and strategies. Special recognition is
given when all three reviewers give the highest possible score in a particular category.
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in
governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a
significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
JML
Enclosures
Page 1351 of 1454
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CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR BUDGET PREPARATION
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Finance Department
City of Dubuque, Iowa
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
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which is the highest award in governmental
budgeting, is presented to those government units whose budgets are judged to adhere
to program standards.
Executive Director
Date: 11/12/2024
Government Finance Officers Association
203 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2700
Chicago, Illinois 60601 -12 10
312.977.9700 fax:312.977.4806
November 12, 2024
Jennifer Larson
Chief Financial Officer
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Dear Jennifer:
A panel of independent reviewers have completed their examination of your Annual budget document for
the period beginning July 2024. We are pleased to inform you that your budget document has been
awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from Government Finance Officers Association
(GFOA). This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. Its attainment
represents a significant achievement by your organization. In addition to receiving the award, your
entity's budget received the following special recognition:
Strategic goals & strategies
Special recognition is given when all three reviewers give the highest possible score in particular
categories.
Your Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is valid for one year. To continue your participation in
the program, it will be necessary to submit your next 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.
Your electronic award package contains the following:
• Scores and Comments. Each entity submitting a budget to the program is provided with reviewers'
scores for each of the categories on which the budget document was judged along with reviewers'
confidential comments and suggestions for possible improvements to the budget document. We
urge you to carefully consider these suggestions as you prepare your next budget.
• Budget Award. A camera-ready reproduction of the Award is included 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. Please refer to the instructions
for reproducing your Award in your next budget (also included in your award package).
• Certificate of Recognition. 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.
• Sample press release. Attaining this Award is a significant accomplishment. The sample press
release may be used to give appropriate publicity to this notable achievement.
In addition, award recipients will receive via mail either a plaque (if the government is a first-time
recipient or has received the Award fifteen times since it received its last plaque) or a brass medallion to
affix to the plaque.
Page 1353 of 1454
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 Awards Programs staff at (312) 977-9700.
Sincerely,
Michele Mark Levine
Director, Technical Services Center
Page 1354 of 1454
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Scores and Comments
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Member ID: 41223002
Application #: BAP-2024-9950351
Award Decision: Awarded with Special Recognition
Fiscal Year Begin: July 2024
Budget Period: Annual
Scoring Grade: 1 = Information Not Present, 2 = Does Not Satisfy Criterion, 3 = Proficient, 4 = Outstanding
Reviewer Reviewer
Scoring Comments
#1 #2 #3 #1
Reviewer
Comments
#2
Reviewer
Comments
#3
Is
Introduction and Overview
*
C1
Table of Contents
3
4
3
The table of contents is
A linked table of contents is
Proficient.
(mandatory)
effectively presented.
provided.
*
PI
Strategic Goals &
4
4
4
The document includes
The City of Dubuque
Outstanding. The strategic
Strategies
excellent organization -wide
presented their mission,
plan discussion is detailed and
(mandatory)
strategic objectives and
vision 2038, focus areas,
transparent, identifying
strategies.
goals, priorities and guiding
relevant departments for
principles.
individual goals.
*
P2
Priorities and
3
3
3
The priorities and concerns
Proficient.
Issues
are detailed in the
(mandatory)
management letter,
accompanied by the relevant
key considerations.
*
C2
Budget Overview
4
3
3
The budget overview is well-
Proficient.
(mandatory)
written and effectively
provides budget issues,
changes, and decisions.
Financial Structure, Policy, and Process
* 01 Organization Chart 4 4 3 The photographs really add to Department organization Proficient.
(mandatory) the effectiveness of these charts enhance the overall
charts. chart.
Page 1 of 5
Page 1355 of 1454
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Scores and Comments
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Member ID: 41223002
Application #: BAP-2024-9950351
F1
Fund Descriptions
3
4
3
and Fund
Structure
02
Department/
3
4
3
Fund Relationship
F2
Basis of Budgeting
3
3
3
*
P3
Financial Policies
3
4
3
(mandatory)
*
P4
Budget Process
3
3
3
(mandatory)
Financial Summaries
* F3 Consolidated 3 3 3
Financial Schedule
(mandatory)
F4 Three Year 3 3 3
Consolidated and
Fund Financial
Schedules
Fiscal Year Begin: July 2024
Budget Period: Annual
19
The document outlines the
A funds chart enhances fund
Proficient.
functional units that comprise
descriptions.
the fund structure, including
their connection and role in
financial resource allocation.
The report addressed the
A department -to -funds matrix
Proficient.
correlation between the
enhances 02.
various departments and their
respective funding.
The basis of budgeting is
Proficient.
provided.
The city includes good
Extensive financial policies are
Proficient.
financial policies that will help
presented.
structure the budget process.
The budget process is
Proficient.
meticulously outlined to
guarantee that financial
planning and decision -making
adhere to the necessary
standards.
The document includes an
Proficient.
effective budget summary
that encompasses significant
revenue sources,
expenditures and financial
allocations.
The document provides a
Proficient.
clear overview of the
organization's finances,
including its main revenue
streams, expenditures, and
other financial applications. It
contains actual, current, and
projected financial data.
Page 2 of 5
Page 1356 of 1454
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Scores and Comments
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Member ID: 41223002
Application #: BAP-2024-9950351
*
F5
Fund Balance
(mandatory)
3
4
3
*
F6
Revenues
3
4
4
(mandatory)
F7
Long -Range
3
2
3
Financial Plans
Fiscal Year Begin: July 2024
Budget Period: Annual
19
Fund balance change is
included.
Fund balances are projected
and discussed.
Proficient.
Please ensure that all revenue
Revenues are enhanced with
Outstanding. The revenue
sources and analytical
trend charts.
discussion is detailed and
information for each related
informative.
section are clearly identified
and described. Discuss
variances and provide trend
analysis to give stakeholders a
clear view of future revenue.
This section could be
Present some financial
Proficient.
expanded to discuss financial
forecasts to accompany the
plans, forecasts, trends and
narrative.
revenue expenditures for a
multi -year period in one
section.
Capital
& Debt
*
F8
Capital Program
3
4
3
An effective capital plan
Capital is thoroughly
Proficient.
(mandatory)
provides information on
presented with quantified
capital investment and
operating impacts.
resource strategies.
*
F9
Debt (mandatory)
3
4
3
: The presentation of the city's
Debt information includes
Proficient.
debt strategy includes
per capita, ratings, ratios, etc.
obligations, debt limits, and
its impact on current
operations.
Departmental/Program Information
* 03 Position Summary 3 4 3
Schedule
(mandatory)
Personnel and positions are
included in the document.
Departments present multi-
year FTEs to enhance 03.
Proficient.
Page 3 of 5
Page 1357 of 1454
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Scores and Comments
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Member ID: 41223002
Application #: BAP-2024-9950351
*
04
Departmental/
3
4
3
Program
Descriptions
(mandatory)
05
Departmental/
3
4
3
Program Goals and
Objectives
*
06
Performance
4
4
3
Measures
(mandatory)
Fiscal Year Begin: July 2024
Budget Period: Annual
19
The City of Dubuque's mission
Departments are fully
Proficient.
and services are described in
described with all elements.
a way that makes it clear what
the city's core responsibilities
are and how they connect to
legislative goals.
The goals and objectives are
Departments include multi-
Proficient.
presented with
year KPIs linked to
measurements and annual
department and council goals
comparison.
and objectives with status.
Nice job.
Excellent performance data.
Departments include multi-
Proficient.
Ensure that the
year KPIs linked to
measurements are
department and council goals
achievable.
and objectives with status.
Nice job.
Document -Wide Criteria
C3
Statistical/
4
4
3
Outstanding information on
Extensive and informative
Proficient.
Supplemental
the city and surrounding
economic and demographic
Section
community.
information is provided.
C4
Glossary
3
3
3
The glossary defines and
Add BIL, BPTC, CARES, CWSRF,
Proficient.
explains technical
GDDC, ICAIF, and ZBB to the
terminology.
list of acronyms.
C5
Charts and Graph
4
4
4
The city has excellent charts,
Charts and graphs are
Outstanding. The document
graphs and photographs.
effectively presented.
utilizes visual presentation to
convey information in a very
effective manner.
C6
Understandability
4
2
4
The document provides the
Reduce the document to 400
Outstanding. The document
and Usability
required criteria in an
or less pages. Remember the
is very approachable.
effective and esthetic
adages that sometimes less is
manner. The document is well
more, and a picture (chart or
organized and easy to follow.
graph) is worth a thousand
The text is clear and concise,
words. To further enhance
and the graphics are effective
your budget document to
Page 4 of 5
Page 1358 of 1454
GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program
Scores and Comments
City of Dubuque, Iowa
Member ID: 41223002
Application #: BAP-2024-9950351
Fiscal Year Begin: July 2024
Budget Period: Annual
19
in conveying the required
earn additional outstanding
information.
ratings, see the GFOA website
under Best Practices, and/or
the GFOA publication by John
Fishbein, Building A Better
Budget Document.
Overall Score
Overall as a Policy
3
4
3
Document
Overall as a
3
3
3
Financial Plan
Overall as an
3
4
3
Operations Guide
Overall as a
4
3
3
Communication
Device
************ END OF SCORES AND COMMENTS FOR BAP-2024-9950351 ************
Page 5 of 5
Page 1359 of 1454
S kk
GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Distinguished
Budget Presentation
Award
PRESENTED TO
City of Dubuque
Iowa
For the Fiscal Year Beginning
July 01, 2024
Executive Director
Page 1360 of 1454
GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/12/2024
For more information, contact:
Technical Services Center
Phone: (312) 977-9700
Email: budgetaward@gfoa.org
(Chicago, Illinois) —Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that City of
Dubuque, Iowa 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.
There are over 1,700 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 22,500 members and the
communities they serve.
203 NORTH LASALLE STREET, SUITE 2700, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60601-1210
Page 1361 of 1454