EAGLE MOUNTAIN — Eagle Mountain's budget committee has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, an independent association that seeks to promote management of governments.

Awards are given to any city that receives a proficient rating in four categories: a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device. The four categories consist of 27 criteria, which include items such as whether the documents are easy to read and understand, if priorities are established and short-term initiatives.

The budget award program began in 1984 to encourage local governments to attain a high quality in budgeting practices. The program now has about 1,200 participants each year. The program also includes fire districts, school districts and other entities, said John Fishbein, senior manager of the technical services center for GFOA.

"It's a good thing to be in the program," Fishbein said. "We encourage governments to participate in the program. ... It's better to be in the program than not."

Fishbein said more than 90 percent of participants receive the award.

Eagle Mountain's city management analyst, Ifo Pili, who is now over economic development for the city, spent months with two Brigham Young University interns, Jason Walker and Marilyn Lau; the city administrator, John Hendrickson; and the mayor, Don Richardson, developing the budget, which was then approved by the City Council and sent to GFOA. Pili informed the city about the program and then drafted a budget that could feasibly win the award.

"I think it's just a step to make us a little more professional than what we are," Richardson said.

Richardson also said it helps Eagle Mountain obtain a higher degree of professionalism and helps the residents of the city.

"It can be used as an operation guide and communication device that people can look at it and understand," Richardson said.

He added: "We are thinking through the budget, it's not just a rapidly put together thing, but (it's) done properly."

"It's a nice milestone," he said. "I'm very proud of the staff."

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