Parker's finance department has received three awards from the Government Finance Officer Association, which represents public-sector financial professionals across the United States and Canada.

“We get these awards by being diligent," said Mayor Jeff Toborg. "We get these awards by proving what we do everyday and we get these awards through being competitive."

For 35 years, the town has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. 

“This is a testament to the quality of our financial statements that we’re maintaining the integrity and honesty of our financial transitions and reporting them appropriately,” said Mary Lou Brown, director of finance and IT. 

The  department was recognized by the council in a special presentation on July 17.

The department also received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for a second year and the Distinguished Budget Presentation award for a 19th year after satisfying nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentations. 

“The guidelines are designed to assess how well our budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide and a communications device,” said Brown. “So we’re always keeping those four aspects in mind as we’re  pulling together our budget.” 

Brown said the town must be rated proficient in all four categories. 

In a presentation of financial statements made by Jamie Essenmacher, a partner at Plante Moran PLLC, the town has a “very clean bill of health.”

Regarding the town’s audit, Essenmacher said there were no findings and no items identified throughout the audit process. 

Essenmacher said the town continues to have a healthy fund balance and the unassigned general fund balance was 49% of the 2022 expenditures. 

“The general fund also has about $2.2 million in unspent ARPA (American Recovery Act) funds and recorded as a liability until they are spent, so not part of that year-end fund balance,” said Essenmecher. 

In other business, the town recently hired Michael Lawson as its new assistant town manager for operations. He will start his role in August. 

As assistant, Lawson will work in partnership with Town Manager Michelle Kivela to provide leadership, oversight and strategic direction of organizational operations. 

Serving as a liaison and partner to town-wide issues, Lawson will also oversee the Greater Parker Foundation, the Cultural and Parks, Recreation and Open Space Departments.