Vaughan receives the 2025 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award!

The City of Vaughan’s ongoing commitment to sound financial stewardship, transparency and good governance continues to earn national recognition. For the 17th consecutive year, the City has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, recognizing the 2025 Budget and 2026 Financial Plan (PDF).

This award was celebrated by Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council during a ceremonial presentation at the Special Council (Budget) Meeting on Feb. 24. 

The GFOA is a non-profit international association serving more than 21,000 government finance professionals throughout North America. It provides top quality publications, training programs, services and products designed to enhance the skills and performance of those responsible for government finance policy and management. The association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award encourages governments to prepare and issue budget documents of the highest quality. This ensures residents are fully informed of the administration’s policies, corporate initiatives and financial plans. 

To earn this award, the City was required to meet nationally recognized guidelines that assessed how well the City’s 2025 Budget Book served as a policy document, a financial plan, an operational guide and a communications device. Three independent reviewers rated it on 14 mandatory criteria in four different categories. 

Achieving this award reflects the City’s long-standing commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance within its budget process. It also demonstrates how effectively and efficiently the City is investing every taxpayer dollar it is entrusted with. 

QUOTES

“I am pleased that the City of Vaughan has received this prestigious award from the Government Finance Officers Association for our 2025 Budget Book – making it the 17th year in a row we have earned this honour. Everyone at the City takes great pride in our thoughtful and responsible approach to budgeting. Our process rests on a foundation of fiscal prudence, transparency and respect for the hard-earned tax dollars of our residents, and our staff work tirelessly, year after year, to ensure this remains the case. I want to express my sincere appreciation to staff in the Financial Planning and Development Finance and the Financial Services teams for their exceptional work. Congratulations on receiving this coveted and well-deserved award.”

- Mayor Steven Del Duca

“The City of Vaughan’s Corporate Services portfolio works closely with Mayor Steven Del Duca and all City departments to deliver a responsible annual budget that puts the needs of residents first. This award reflects their excellent collaboration, expertise and dedication to responsible financial management and the very best of public service. Congratulations to the team, led by Michael Coroneos, Deputy City Manager of Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer, and thank you for the work you all do for our city.”

- Zoran Postic, City Manager 

“On behalf of Corporate Services, we are honoured to receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. Our 2025 Budget Book was rated by three independent reviewers on 14 mandatory criteria, and, for the 17th year in a row, it excelled in all areas. Our continued success in budget planning is because of staff throughout the organization who look for opportunities for savings and remain committed to transparency, accountability and good governance.”

- Michael Coroneos, Deputy City Manager of Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer

QUICK FACTS 

• The City of Vaughan received the 2025 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for its fiscal budget year beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

• This is the 17th consecutive year the City of Vaughan has received this award. 

• The City of Vaughan’s 2025 Budget Book was assessed on how well it served as a policy document, a financial plan, an operational guide and a communications device. It was rated by three independent reviewers on 14 mandatory criteria in four different categories. 

LEARN MORE 

• The City of Vaughan’s 2025 Budget and 2026 Financial Plan (PDF)

• The City of Vaughan’s budget webpage 

• The Government Finance Officers Association’s webpage