The Town of Fountain Hills announced recently it has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its annual budget by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), the highest form of recognition in government budgeting.

“This achievement reflects the town’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in financial management,” said the town’s Director of Community Relations/PIO Mike Pelton.

The award is presented to governments that meet nationally recognized guidelines designed to assess how well the budget serves as:

*A policy document

*A financial plan

*An operations guide

*A communications device

To receive this distinction, the town’s budget document was evaluated and rated “proficient” in all four categories and in 14 mandatory criteria within those categories. The award pertains to the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget Book.

“This award reflects the dedication and collaboration of our entire team to present a budget that not only balances our fiscal responsibilities but also clearly communicates our vision and priorities to the community,” said Chief Financial Officer Paul Soldinger. “We take great pride in maintaining a transparent process that allows residents to understand exactly how their tax dollars are being invested to make Fountain Hills an even better place to live, work, and visit.”

The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting, recognizing excellence in preparing and presenting a comprehensive and user-friendly financial plan. This is the town’s 23rd consecutive budget award.

“The Town of Fountain Hills continues to uphold the highest standards of public stewardship and remains committed to providing clear, accessible information to residents and stakeholders about how financial resources are managed,” Pelton said.