For the 19th consecutive year, the Regional Municipality of York has been recognized with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2023 budget.
York Region’s budget received special recognition in two areas: capital, and strategic goals and strategies, as well as receiving the Triple Crown medallion, recognizing achievement of all three GFOA awards in the 2021 fiscal year, according to a news release.
“York Region staff are tasked to deliver top-level programs and services to our residents and local municipalities, being mindful of current political and economic conditions,” said York Region chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Every component of the region’s annual budget supports our four priority areas of the strategic plan and demonstrates our mission of working together to serve our thriving communities — today and tomorrow.”
"The annual budget is just one aspect of York Region’s commitment to fostering economically sustainable communities. Guiding creation of the budget is the York Region fiscal strategy, supporting the long-term goal of financial sustainability through sound management of its capital plan, reserves and use of debt," the release stated.
Strong financial oversight enables York Region to maintain a Triple A credit rating, the highest possible from both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.
“York Region’s annual budget represents transparency at its finest level,” said Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini, chair of the region’s finance and administration. “To receive this award annually for almost two decades recognizes the dedication of staff preparing a document encompassing both the intricacies of a budget while keeping it highly understandable.”
To receive this award from GFOA, the budget document must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective presentation of the budget as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communication vehicle.
York Region tabled the 2024 budget on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, with anticipated approval on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.
