Finance department presented plaque

The Ascension Parish Council’s finance department was honored during a recent meeting for receiving the National Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Newly elected Louisiana GFOA President Clay Stafford, who serves as finance director and city clerk for the city of Gonzales, presented the department with a plaque during the council’s Sept. 20 meeting to commemorate the honor.

Stafford said the award was established in 1984 to encourage and recognize state and local governments in preparing budget documents of the highest quality.

Ascension Parish is only the sixth parish in the state and one of 209 counties nationwide to ever receive the honor, Stafford said.

“This award reflects the commitment of the finance department to achieve the greatest principles in governmental accounting,” Parish Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Gwen LeBlanc said to the council.