The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the Town of Vernon its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. It is the 33rd straight year Vernon has earned such recognition.
Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said it is government’s duty to be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars, and to be transparent in how that money is managed.
“The public should expect government to be open and accountable,” Mayor Champagne said. “Ensuring the town’s financial reports are in order and accessible to all who want to review them is key to that. This achievement demonstrates our continuing commitment to full disclosure and accountability to the public.”
The town’s annual comprehensive financial report, prepared by the town’s Finance Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, was judged by an impartial panel to meet the program’s high standards, which include demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure," clearly communicating the town’s financial story and motivating people to read the report.
“Each year it becomes more challenging to reach the high standards set by GOFA, but we do it thanks to the hard work of the financial staff from the town and the Vernon Public Schools,” Town Administrator John Kleinhans said. “It is our responsibility to be transparent in our use and management of tax dollars. Striving to achieve the GFOA standards each year helps ensure that.”