The Bay County Finance Department has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada for its 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is the twenty second (22) year Bay County has received this honor.

The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. "This is a noteworthy accomplishment for the County, and we are pleased that the expertise and commitment of our finance department is recognized on a national level," said Thomas Hickner, Bay County Executive.

The Finance Department received the award based on their preparation of the CAFR. Judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, judges said the annual report demonstrates a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C.

Citizens interested in viewing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report can visit the Bay County website at www.baycounty-mi.gov. The document can be found under the Finance Department menu under the "financial reports" page. The County's budget reports are also listed on the website.