The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners has recognized the Department of Finance & Budget for receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 24th consecutive year.
The announcement highlights the ongoing commitment of county staff to produce a high-quality budget document that serves residents and government operations effectively. The award was presented following evaluation of the county’s current fiscal year budget, with recognition shared during a Board of County Commissioners meeting on Dec. 16, 2025, in Prince Frederick.
From left to right: Commissioner Todd Ireland (President); Commissioner Mike Hart; Commissioner Catherine Grasso; Juli Williams; Kathy Shymansky; Beth Richmond; Mary Andes Ben Buchanan; Casey Waldron; Deputy County Administrator and Acting Chief Financial Officer Stephen McGibbon; Mary Layman; Kelly Gross; Jennifer Smith; Commissioner Earl F. “Buddy” Hance; Commissioner Mark Cox Sr. (Vice President). Credit: Calvert County PIO
The Government Finance Officers Association, a professional organization that supports appointed and elected officials in local, state, and provincial governments along with other finance practitioners, administers the program. It assesses budget documents across four key areas: functioning as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. To qualify for the award, the budget must achieve a rating of at least “proficient” in all 14 mandatory criteria across these categories.
A letter from the GFOA to Calvert County officials states, “This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement by your organization.”
Many employees in the Department of Finance & Budget contribute daily to uphold these standards in financial budgeting. The department works each year to improve the budget document’s usefulness and clarity for both county government decision-makers and the citizens of Calvert County who rely on transparent financial information.
The award program, established by the GFOA in 1984, encourages governments to follow national guidelines for effective budgeting and adopt best practices. It recognizes entities that prepare documents of exceptional quality, with approximately 1,900 governments across the United States and Canada receiving the honor in recent years. The program promotes transparency and accountability in public finance, helping communities understand how resources are allocated and managed.
Calvert County has maintained this recognition since the early years of its participation, building a record of consistency that reflects sustained efforts in fiscal management. The county’s annual operating budget outlines expenditures for services such as public safety, education, infrastructure maintenance, and general administration, with fiscal years running from July 1 to June 30. For example, the fiscal year 2026 budget, approved earlier in 2025, totaled $386 million in the general fund, with significant allocations to education and other priorities while maintaining stable tax rates.
The Department of Finance & Budget handles responsibilities including providing accurate financial data for decision-making, maintaining excellence in reporting and budgeting, protecting assets, and conducting financial analysis. This structure supports the county’s operations across its communities in areas such as Prince Frederick, Lusby, Huntingtown, and Chesapeake Beach.
Recognition like this award underscores the value of consistent practices in governmental budgeting. It provides residents with assurance that financial planning meets rigorous professional standards. Calvert County officials and staff have emphasized the team’s dedication to enhancing the document’s value over time, focusing on clear communication that helps citizens understand county finances.
The GFOA’s criteria draw from guidelines developed by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the association’s own best practices. These standards guide governments in presenting information that aids policy development, forecasts financial outcomes, directs day-to-day operations, and explains decisions to the public. Achieving proficient ratings requires comprehensive disclosure, realistic projections, and accessible presentation.
For Calvert County, this achievement continues a tradition of excellence in financial management. The county’s location in Southern Maryland, with its mix of rural areas, waterfront communities, and growing population centers, requires careful budgeting to address needs ranging from road maintenance to environmental protection and public services.
Residents can access more information about the county’s budget processes and documents through the official Calvert County website. The ongoing recognition reinforces the importance of professional standards in local government finance.
The GFOA program serves as a benchmark for governments nationwide, with winners announced periodically throughout the year. Calvert County’s repeated success places it among entities that prioritize high-quality budgeting practices. This accomplishment reflects collaboration among staff members who prepare the detailed documents each year.
