Pictured above from left are Anderson County Budget Director Chris Phillips, Deputy Budget Director Connie Aytes, and Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank. (Photo courtesy of Anderson County Government)
Anderson County government recently announced that its Accounts and Budget Office has received the Popular Annual Financial Report Award, or PAFR Award.
The PAFR Report is a voluntary report that counties can choose to compile and publish in order to condense the financial position of the county. The goal of popular reports is to present budget information in a way that is easy to understand, a press release said.
“We scored an 86.7 percent out of 100 percent by the panel of 3 judges,” Anderson County Deputy Budget Director Connie Aytes said. “One judge gave us a 96.8 percent grade. I am honored to say this now makes the 11th consecutive year we’ve won the award.”
“We are pleased to offer to our citizens a report that makes the county’s financial position easier to understand,” Budget Director Christopher K. Phillips said. “It is our hope that in some way this report reaches out to potential investors in Anderson County and shows them that our government goes above and beyond the call of duty to be a source of useful information.”
The PAFR Award comes on the heels of the Accounts and Budget Office receiving a Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) in May of this year.
“Budget Director Chris Phillips and the entire accounting office deserve praise for their hard work,” Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said in the press release. “But Connie Aytes is the heart and spirit of the Popular Report, and she deserves additional praise for the hard work she puts into it. This report is completely voluntary, and I absolutely love the extra effort Connie makes to make sure our information is accessible and readable by the citizens of Anderson County.
“Because of challenges stemming from the economic downturn in 2008, much more attention is turning to local governments. When industry, business, and families are considering where to locate, we’re finding increased attention on the fiscal stability and long-term outlook of our county government. We want to stay in a strong position, and the PAFR is a great method for getting the word out.”
Anderson County’s report was reviewed by an independent panel of professional governmental accountants, and they determined the county’s report meets the high standards to be awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting.
Copies of the report are available in the Anderson County Mayor’s Office or in the Accounts and Budget Office.
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