December 2007

Lucky 7
Park District Earns Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 7 Years Running

There is an international organization that judges how well a public body is taking care of the public money. It’s called GFOA for short… stands for Government Finance Officers Association.

If you think that sounds like mouth full, try the name of the award Carol Stream Park District has received yet again, “Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program”… means you done good.

For the seventh year in a row, Carol Stream Park District has earned the GFOA’s  highest honor.

Achievement at this level means that the Park Board is carefully accounting for your money. It means we follow all of the recognized standards for accounting, tracking, posting, purchasing, etc. There is no Enron-type financial reporting at the Carol Stream Park District. Everything is above board; done right; and open for inspection.

To put the award in perspective, last year just 220 public agencies in Illinois achieved this level of financial reporting. There are more than 300 park districts in Illinois alone. There are many more cities and villages, fire districts, library districts, townships, counties, etc. Carol Stream Park District is in rare company… company that seriously takes accounting of public money by the book.

Want to know some of the others in this exclusive group?  First, right here in town, the Village of Carol Stream. Of the surrounding area park districts, there is just Wheaton,  Lombard, Naperville and Fox Valley. DuPage County and the DuPage Forest Preserve have also earned the honor.

So, just to wrap this up, sleep well tonight knowing that taxes and fees paid to Carol Stream Park District are being carefully and properly accounted. The Board and staff of the park district take their responsibility with your money very seriously. We hope we are earning your trust as we continue to meet the international standards for financial reporting. Next year, we’re shooting for the eighth straight year!

Check back for a new message from your Executive Director.

Do you wonder about things that you see happening in the Park District, but don't have the time to pick up the phone and ask? Send Arnie a quick email. Forward your emails to info@csparks.org and Ask Arnie!