Marion County Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Marion County, Florida has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its fiscal year budget beginning Oct. 1, 2024.

According to GFOA, this award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity 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 the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award, according to GFOA.

This is the second consecutive year that Marion County has received this award, under the direction of Clerk Gregory C. Harrell and Budget Director Audrey Fowler.

“It is an honor to be Marion County’s budget officer, and the citizens of Marion County are fortunate to have such an excellent Budget Director in Audrey Fowler,” said Gregory C. Harrell, Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller. “She and her team have developed and refined in their Adopted Budget book for Fiscal Year 2025, including its Budget Overview section, a document that is not only comprehensive and transparent but also accessible.”

GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

For more about Marion County’s budget, click here.