For the 29^th consecutive year, the Richland County Finance Department won the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), which cited the staff for producing a budget document that is easy for the general public to understand.

The award recognized the fiscal year 2016 budget of $866.4 million, excluding capital projects.

Richland County’s annual budget is created through a planning process involving the budget staff, the County administrator and department heads. Agencies and organizations that receive funding from the County also have the opportunity to participate in the process during a series of budget public hearings.

The budget is reviewed and approved by County Council.

Richland County is one of about 1,500 local governments nationwide to receive the GFOA award. GFOA is a non-profit professional association that serves more than 18,000 government finance professionals.

To view a video on the Richland County budget, click here.