Distinguished Budget Award given to the City of Kilgore
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada announced that City of Kilgore's budget for fiscal 2007 has received the GFOA'S Distinguished Budget Award, for the second year in a row.

The award represents a significant achievement by the city. It reflects the commitment of city staff to meeting the highest principals of governmental budgeting, according to the GFOA.

In order to receive the budget award, the city satisfied nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well the city'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 to receive the award.

Lawanna Williams, Kilgore assistant finance director, received a certificate of recognition for primary responsibility in receiving the award.

Williams credits Jeff Howell, city manager, for his role.

"This is a Jeff thing. It is a program he implemented in Bridgeport and it works here too," Williams said. "Our budget book is no longer full of just numbers; we list depart- mental goals and measures, a glossary of terms and separate each section with tabs."

Williams said earning the award is a lot of hard work, but worth it.

The submitted budget book was reviewed and scored by a three-member panel.