Transparency counts in Water District budget

San Diego Business Journal, Sept 5, 2005 by Pat Broderick

The Otay Water District announced on Aug. 25 that it has received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its 2004 budget.

In order to win, the district had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation; and budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories.

According to a district spokeswoman, since 2003, the award has been presented to only 15 of California's more than 3,400 special districts, pioneering ways to improve the quality of budgeting nationwide.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association, serving 14,000 government finance professionals throughout North America.

"The award recognizes excellence in financial reporting, as well as our organization's commitment to accountability and transparency," said Mark Watton, the district's general manager.

The Otay Water District is a public agency, distributing water to more than 173,000 ratepayers within about 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County.