OREANDA-NEWS. For the seventh year in a row, the Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) has been recognized for excellence in budget presentation by the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada (GFOA). The organization presented MDAD's Finance Division with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Department's fiscal year 2013-14 budget. The national award is the only one of its kind in governmental budgeting and reflects a commitment to the highest principles of budgeting, according to GFOA.

To earn the award, MDAD had to meet a number of nationally recognized guidelines for budget presentation designed to assess how well the budget serves as: a policy document; a financial plan; an operations guide; and a communications device. The department's budget must earn "proficient" ratings in all four categories, as well as in the 14 mandatory criteria within them, to earn the award.

"Congratulations to our Finance Division for once again producing one of the top-rated government budget presentations in the nation," said MDAD Director Emilio T. Gonzalez. "Organizing a complex budget for Miami Dade County's largest economic engine - as well as the country's busiest airport for international freight and second-busiest for international passengers - is no small feat. Our finance professionals are some of the best in the country and they are most deserving of this award and recognition."

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving nearly 18,000 government finance professionals throughout North America.