On September 4, 2018, the City of Colton’s Finance Department earned the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting for the fiscal year 2016-17, according to a City Council meeting.
Finance Director Stacey Dabbs announced this honor to the City Council and expressed that the certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
The finance department was chosen for the award after an impartial panel of certified public accountant concluded that the city’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) met high standards and demonstrated a good constructive transparency to clearly communicate the entity’s financial story.
“The comprehensive annual financial report or CAFR is our annual financial accountability report to City Council, our community and various other stakeholders,” Dabbs said. “It speaks to our prior year performance and gives indicators to the financial health of our city.”
Dabbs then took the time to personally thank the finance department account staff and express that they would not have been able to receive the award without their hard work and dedication.
Additionally, Dabbs individually recognized Paula Majors, the City’s Finance Manager, for her efforts to coordinate the annual audit.
“She was able to address and correct per your [the City Council] comments and recommendations,” Dabbs said. Her determination and meticulousness were essential in completing the fiscal year 16-17 audit and in the receipt of this award. Thank you, Paula, for your dedication to the City of Colton.”
Majors then took the time to express how she was happy to serve the City of Colton and work with her colleagues, executive team and the City Council.
“The finance department, we’ve been working really hard to drill down on policies and procedures,” Majors said. “[We also] make sure that we’re in line with our financial goals and we look forward to receiving many more awards.”
After the presentation of the award, Mayor Richard A. DeLaRosa thanked the two women for their time and dedication to serving the City of Colton.
“It’s a true testament of how you two, the City Manager and the directors help and make sure that this city is guided in the right direction as far as our finances,” DeLaRosa said. I know you guys work a lot, I know you guys collaborate together and oversee each other and check and balance each other so thank you very much for keeping our city on track and our residents appreciate it, our businesses appreciate it and our departments appreciate it, so thank you, the employees, thank you.”