City of Highland Park Recognized for Excellence in Annual Financial Reporting
Government Finance Officers Association Honors City for 36th Consecutive Year
February 25, 2021 – The City of Highland Park has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, the award recognizes the City’s comprehensive annual financial report for the 2019 fiscal year, the most recently audited report. An impartial GFOA panel determined that the report met the program’s high standards, which include demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read the full report. This is the 36th consecutive year in which the City’s annual financial reporting has been recognized by the GFOA.
“The GFOA’s assessment of our annual financial report provides confirmation that we have gone above the minimum requirements as we prepare our comprehensive annual financial report. We are proud of this significant accomplishment,” said Mayor Nancy Rotering.
“Attainment of the Certificate of Achievement is a testament to the sound policy established by the Mayor and City Council, and the exceptional management of the City’s finances by our Finance staff, supervisors and all City employees,” said City Manager Ghida Neukirch.
While producing the CAFR is a legal requirement of the City, receiving recognition by GFOA indicates that the report successfully demonstrates transparency and a commitment to full disclosure. GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving more than 21,000 government finance professionals by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research.
The City strives to make its financial documents as contextual and engaging as possible. In July 2020, the City was also recognized by the GFOA with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 26th consecutive year. The award reflects Highland Park’s commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting by recognizing its excellence as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communications device.
More information about the City’s budget is available at cityhpil.com/budget. Questions regarding the City’s budget may be directed to the Finance Department at 847.432.0800 or finance@cityhpil.com.