Soquel Creek Water District receives two industry awards

The Soquel Creek Water District (SCWD) announced earlier this week they are the recipients of two industry awards – the “Transparency Certificate of Excellence” Award from the California Special District Leadership Foundation and from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

The California Special District award requires special districts to demonstrate the completion of eight essential governance transparency requirements, including ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports with the State Controller in a timely manner. The award recipients must fulfill the requirements to provide readily available information to the public, including board agendas and packets, past board meeting minutes, the current district budget, and the most recent financial audit. SCWD also fulfilled the 15 website requirements required by the Special District Leadership Foundation.

The District was first honored with a “Transparency Certificate of Excellence” Award in 2015. SCWD was the first special district in Santa Cruz County to be recognized for their transparency efforts. The Special District Leadership Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation and other recognition programs.

The District’s recognition by the GFOA results from SCWD’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). This Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. An impartial panel deemed the SCWD embodies a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story. The GFOA is a professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.

“The District Board and Staff are to be commended for their contributions that empower the public with information and facilitate engagement and oversight,” said Ron Duncan, Soquel Creek Water District’s general manager, “We are honored to receive this type of recognition.”