By By ANNA M. LEE Managing Editor
For the eighth year in a row the City of Brewton has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
The GFOA, a national organization based in Chicago, gives this award annually to recognize and encourage excellence in financial reporting by state and local governments.
To be eligible, the Brewton city clerk's office must present financial reports that are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and have been audited.
This recognition let's the people of Brewton know that the city has good bookkeeping practices and accountability practices in place, said Brewton mayor Ted Jennings.
Angel and his staff in the city clerk's office serve three main functions for the City of Brewton -- financial management, record keeping and administrative support.
Angel manages the city's budget, making sure funds are available -- primarily from sales tax and ad valorem tax -- to cover the city's bills.
Budget planning for 2005 begins now with department managers filling out budget worksheets listing funds they'd like to receive next year and then turning those work sheets over to the city clerk's office.
Department budgets will go through revisions in the finance committee and the city council before being presented to the council for final approval in September.
Angel uses statistics and historical fiscal data to project what revenue the city will bring in.
As custodian of records, the city clerk's office is responsible for producing and maintaining any paperwork related to the city's operation, including minutes of city council meetings, contracts, deeds, ordinances, litigation and other documents. Serving as this bank of information means that the office is often called on to research, analyze or report on the information it holds.