Union County’s Budget & Grants Management Department received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the County’s annual budget document for the period beginning July 1, 2025. The Board of County Commissioners acknowledged the achievement during a regular meeting on June 1, 2026, for reaching the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and shows the County’s commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility," said Jason May, Director of Budget and Grants Management. "By meeting these rigorous national standards, we have ensured that our budget serves not just as a financial plan, but as a clear, effective way to empower our residents to understand how their tax dollars are being invested to shape the future of our community.

To receive the budget award, the County met nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines assessed how well a budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications tool.

Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories and in the 15 mandatory criteria within those categories to earn the award. This is the 14th consecutive year the County has received the award.

Approximately 1,900 governments, including states, cities, counties, special districts, school districts, and others throughout North America, have been recognized for transparency in budgeting, according to the Government Finance Officers Association. Each year, award recipients are recognized for their pioneering efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example.

The Budget & Grants Management department was recognized at the June 1, 2026, Union County Board of Commissioners meeting for earning the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for budget preparation.