The Town of Garner is pleased to announce that it has won the Government Finance Officers Association’s (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the third consecutive year. This most recent award is for the Town’s FY25 Adopted Budget book.  

The award reflects the commitment of Town staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting, the GFOA said. In order to receive this coveted award, the Town 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 and
• a communications device  

Budget documents must be rated proficient in all four categories, and in 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.  

The Town’s Adopted Budget book and online Budget Portal have made significant advances in the past few years under the leadership of Budget Director Sara Warren.  

“The Town continues to improve the quality of the budget document to ensure transparency and excellence,” Ms. Warren said. “For the FY25 budget, we made additions to the online portal in the form of a video and interactive online book that allow residents to better understand the use of their tax dollars.”  

In addition to Ms. Warren, the Town’s budget team includes Town Manager Jodi Miller, Assistant Town Manager John Hodges and Finance Director David Beck. Strategy and Innovation Manager Mari Howe also has contributed design and branding assistance with the budget and Budget Portal.  

To review the Adopted Budget book and learn more about the FY25 budget, please visit the Budget Portal at garnernc.gov/departments/budget/fy25-budget-portal.