Only three others in Pennsylvania earned same recognition

Chester County Chief Operating Officer Mark Rupsis (left) and Chester County Director of Finance Julie Bookheimer display the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 2013.

Chester County has received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year beginning 2013, one of only three counties in the state and the only one in the region to earn this distinction, a county news release said Thursday.

The award was given by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada and is presented to government organizations that have “pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America,” the release said.

“Chester County works hard to deliver a budget that utilizes, cost effectively, every public dollar received to support the needs of county residents,” said Mark Rupsis, Chester County Chief Operating Officer. “But in addition, we work hard to present the budget as a professionally-produced policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan, and an excellent communications guide.  This award recognizes everyone’s professionalism and the teamwork between the commissioners, all county departments and our finance staff.”

A letter from the association announcing the award stated: “The award represents a significant achievement. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting.”  According to the GFOA, in order to receive the budget award, Chester County had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation, the release said.