After Leading Novato's Financial Turnaround, Finance Director Honored Nationally

NOVATO, CA — Novato's years-long effort to restore its financial operations earned national recognition in July as the City Council honored the finance department for overcoming staffing shortages, completing years of overdue audits and strengthening the city's financial management.

The council presented a proclamation recognizing Finance Director Carla Carvalho-DeGraff, who received the Government Finance Officers Association's Outstanding Public Service Award for leading the turnaround.

When Carvalho-DeGraff joined the city after the pandemic, the finance department was short-staffed and several annual audits had fallen behind.

According to the city, she recruited and trained employees, strengthened internal financial controls and helped complete six audits in three years, bringing the city back on schedule.

Mayor Rachel Farac credited Carvalho-DeGraff with restoring confidence in the city's finances.

"She's the leader that is responsible for getting our audits up to date, our finances in order, and our budget," Farac said. "She's made a tremendous difference."

Carvalho-DeGraff said the recognition reflected the work of the entire finance team.

"Public service is never done alone," she said. "This award represents the efforts of many people who care deeply about this community."

The recognition comes as Novato prepares to address its long-term pension obligations.

Later in the meeting, city staff said they plan to return to the council in September with recommendations for managing the city's pension trust as part of a broader financial strategy.