York Region recognized for excellence in government budgeting and financial reporting

Newmarket – For the 19th consecutive year, The Regional Municipality of York has been recognized with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2023 budget.

York Region’s budget received special recognition in two areas: “Capital” and “Strategic Goals and Strategies,” as well as receiving the special Triple Crown medallion, recognizing achievement of all three GFOA awards in the 2021 fiscal year.

“York Region staff are tasked to deliver top-level programs and services to our residents and local municipalities, being mindful of current political and economic conditions,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “Every component of the Region’s annual budget supports our four priority areas of the Strategic Plan and demonstrates our mission of working together to serve our thriving communities - today and tomorrow.”

The GFOA’s award acknowledges York Region’s achievement in presenting an open and transparent budget. The annual budget is just one aspect of York Region’s commitment to fostering economically sustainable communities. Guiding creation of the budget is the York Region Fiscal Strategy, supporting the long-term goal of financial sustainability through sound management of its capital plan, reserves and use of debt.

Strong financial oversight enables York Region to maintain a Triple A credit rating, the highest possible from both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings.

“York Region’s annual budget represents transparency at its finest level,” said Township of King Mayor Steve Pellegrini, Chair of the Region’s Finance and Administration. “To receive this award annually for almost two decades recognizes the dedication of staff preparing a document encompassing both the intricacies of a budget while keeping it highly understandable.”

To receive this award from GFOA, the budget document must satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective presentation of the budget as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communication vehicle.

York Region tabled the 2024 budget on Thursday, November 23, 2023, with anticipated approval on Thursday, December 21, 2023.

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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Media Contact:

Barbara Schnier, Corporate Communications,
The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 905-505-5775
Email: @email