Foley, Ala. — (OBA) —  The city of Foley has once again demonstrated its dedication to excellence in financial management. Recently, local officials announced that the municipal finance department received a major national award for its efforts. This recognition highlights the city's ability to provide clear, accurate budget information to the public. It is a significant accomplishment that elevates the city among the top performers in Alabama.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada announced on Thursday, Feb. 12, that it awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the Foley Finance Department. This recognition marks the seventh straight year that the city has received this national budget honor.

Foley also has a long history of excellence in various financial areas. The city has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 12 years. Additionally, it has earned the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Report six times.

Earning all three awards in a single year is a rare achievement called the "triple crown." Foley has earned this triple-crown distinction for six straight years. Mayor Ralph Hellmich noted that very few cities in Alabama achieve this level of financial reporting.

“Of the 466 cities in Alabama, only five have received this significant triple crown award,” Hellmich said. He expressed great pride in the city's achievement. “Foley is one of them, and that's really, really special for our city,” the mayor added during the announcement.

The mayor highlighted that these awards honor the hard work of city employees. These workers dedicate numerous hours to preparing detailed financial plans for the community each year. It’s a challenging process that demands a high level of dedication and meticulous attention to every small detail.

“It's an incredible amount of work and time that they have to put in to do this,” Hellmich said. He noted that while all cities must undergo audits, not all reach this level. “All cities don't achieve this level of transparency, and that's what's so important about it.”

City leaders believe that transparency in finances is a top priority for the local government. Sharing clear information with the public helps build trust between the city and its residents. In an era when people want more answers, Foley strives to provide as much data as possible.

“I think that's a really important aspect in this day and time with the citizens asking the council about it,” Hellmich said. He believes the city is doing everything possible to be open. “I don't know how much more transparent you can be,” he stated.

Miranda Bell, the Foley finance director, said the awards are the result of a huge team effort. It’s not just one department doing the work, but people from across the city. Cooperation is essential to making the complex budget process successful and accurate.

“It's a city effort,” Bell said regarding the recent honors. She explained that the finance team cannot handle the budget requirements without help. “The budget process in general is not something we can do alone,” she noted while discussing the department’s recent success.

Bell stated that achieving success requires support from all levels of city government. This encompasses elected officials, the administration, and department leaders. Without their backing, the city would struggle to meet the rigorous national standards for these awards.

“You have to have buy-in from your elected officials and the administration and leadership, and you need the support from the directors,” Bell said. She also highlighted the need for teamwork. “You have to have cooperation from the bottom up,” the finance director added.

The Government Finance Officers Association also issued a statement praising the city for maintaining high standards. The group stated that the award demonstrates a commitment to the top principles of government budgeting. It indicates that Foley adheres to the best practices followed by the most successful cities.

“In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation,” the GFOA statement explained. The guidelines assess how well a budget functions as a plan and a communication tool for the city's residents.

The city's budget was evaluated in four main categories to ensure it was a quality document. It had to serve as a policy statement, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. Foley was rated proficient in 14 areas.

Foley's success is even more impressive given the number of other organizations competing in the program. More than 1,900 cities and government entities pursue these awards. Being in the top five in Alabama demonstrates the city's commitment to its taxpayers and residents.

In addition to the budget honors, Foley was recognized for its work with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The city received a Certificate of Excellence for Continuing Disclosure Reporting, confirming that it has adhered to all federal disclosure rules for the past 11 years.