Seymour recognized for excellence in financial reporting

SEYMOUR >> When Seymour’s First Selectman Kurt Miller assumed office in 2011, one of his main goals was to restore Seymour to a stable financial footing. Significant progress has already been made, notably the Town’s bond rating increase last year. Seymour had more to celebrate when it received news on Monday that it had been presented with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association.

The award is a result of Seymour’s first-ever Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, an annual report detailing the current financial status of a government that goes beyond basic accounting requirements. The award is designed to “encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond minimum requirements of accounting...in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure,” according to the GFOA website and “is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting.”

The responsibility for the filing of the CAFR fell on the Town’s Finance Department. Finance Director Doug Thomas accepted the award on the Town’s behalf.  Of receiving the accolade, Thomas said “It’s great to see our efforts culminate in this prestigious award.”

First Selectman W. Kurt Miller added “We are very excited to receive this award after our first effort with the CAFR.  I know that accounting awards may not seem very important, but accomplishments like this weigh heavily in the Town’s ability to borrow money cheaply and improve Seymour’s parks, schools and roads.”

This is a press release from the Office of Seymour’s First Selectman Kurt Miller.