MISSION VIEJO : Finance Department Wins Another Award for Budget

In an international if highly esoteric competition, the city’s Finance Department has been cited for excellence by the Government Finance Officers Assn.

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the fourth awarded to Mission Viejo in the city’s seven-year history, goes to government agencies in the United States and Canada. They are graded on how well their budgets serve in four categories: as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications device.

“Yes, it is kind of dry,” admitted Nancy Livingston, the city’s budget officer. “But you’re not going to get this award if your city’s accounting system is in crummy shape.”