Awards

The City of Richmond's Office of Budget and Strategic Planning is pleased to announce that it has earned distinction for its fiscal year 2026 budget presentation. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, presented by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), recognizes excellence in the government budgeting tradecraft and is a reflection of the City's ongoing commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

"Our budget tells the story of our priorities," said Mayor Danny Avula. "From public safety and neighborhoods to small businesses and housing, our strategic priorities are best supported by intentional investments. I am proud of the team for setting such a high standard and, as we look towards continuous improvement, I'm excited to build upon this success in years to come."

The award is presented to government entities that meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines assess how well a budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

"Preparing the annual budget is truly a team effort," said Director of Budget and Strategic Planning Meghan Brown. "It is not just a financial document, but a roadmap that connects resources to outcomes, and preparing it involves every single City department and a commitment to clear, accessible communications."

The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA's website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.