GASTON COUNTY EARNS DISTINGUISHED BUDGET AWARD

GASTONIA, N.C. – The Government Finance Officers Association awarded Gaston County the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year beginning in July 2025. The County also earned a perfect score for its long-range operating financial plan as well as its strategic goals and strategies.

The Distinguished Budget Award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant achievement by the County’s staff. To receive this honor, the budget had to meet nationally recognized guidelines and be rated “proficient” as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.

In addition to the primary award, Gaston County earned special recognition for its long-range operating financial plans and its strategic goals and strategies for the second year in a row.

Special recognition is only granted when all three reviewers give the highest possible score in a specific category. Achieving this level of performance illustrates the County’s commitment to transparency and long-term financial planning.

Gaston County now ranks among the top of more than 1,900 participants and serves as an example of high-quality public budgeting. This distinction reflects the hard work of the Budget Department – Director Taylor Ricci and Coordinator Elizabeth McGee -- to transform a complex financial document into a clear and useful guide for the community.

###