Vernon's Major Financial Reporting Recognition Streak Continues

VERNON, CT — The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the town of Vernon its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

This year marks the 32nd straight year Vernon has received the recognition.

Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne said the award is continuing evidence of Vernon’s commitment to transparency and to carefully managing taxpayers' money.

"The public rightly expects government to be open and accountable," Champagne said. "Central to that is ensuring the town’s financial reports are in order and accessible to all who want to review them."

The town's annual comprehensive financial report, prepared by the town’s Finance Department for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, was judged by an impartial panel to meet the program’s high standards, which include demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure," clearly communicating the town’s financial story and motivating people to read the report.

"This significant achievement demonstrates the town’s ongoing commitment to full disclosure and accountability to the public," Vernon Finance Officer and Treasurer Jeffrey O’Neill said. "Meeting the high standards set by GFOA is increasingly difficult each year and the award is the result of the hard work and effort of the financial teams from the town and Vernon Public Schools. I would like to recognize and thank our town controller, Frank Zitkus, for his tireless efforts in ensuring completeness and accuracy of financial reporting."

Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said O’Neill and the Finance Department play a central role in the daily operation of the town by carefully managing revenue and expenditures and guiding how tax dollars are best used.

"These annual financial reports are just part of what our town and school finance departments do for the Town of Vernon," Purcaro said. "It is our duty to be transparent and responsible in using taxpayer dollars. Our finance teams ensure that happens."