The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recently honored Olathe with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the city's comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
This is the 39th year in a row the city has received this honor. The certificate is the highest type of recognition its possible for a government to win for its financial reporting and governmental accounting.
In order to win the award, Olathe's CAFR has been examined by an impartial group, who studied it to make sure it meets the program's high standards. Perhaps the single most important point about the award is that it is given to the CAFR that has been written to demonstrate a “spirit of full disclosure,” and which clearly communicates the Olathe's financial story. In addition, the report has to provide motivation to potential users so they will actually read it.
Olathe has received a number of awards recently, including the Vision Internet ‘What's Next’ award for Best Visual Impact. The city won this by improving its website by enhancing the design, content, functionality, and structure. Residents submitted photos that web designers used to create a local feel, while designers focused on the site's usability. Feedback from both site visitors and stakeholders has been positive.
Many people enjoy hearing about achievements like this, so officials could work with a newsletter printing company to help bring people up to date.
