Town of Clayton Earns National Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The Town of Clayton has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for Fiscal Year 2026 from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), the highest national honor in governmental budgeting.
This recognition reflects Clayton’s strong commitment to transparency, strategic planning, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Fewer than 2,000 local governments across North America earn this distinction each year.
To receive the award, Clayton’s budget presentation documents were evaluated against rigorous national criteria. These standards ensure the budget serves as:
- A policy document – clearly outlining organizational goals and long-term priorities
- A financial plan – demonstrating responsible forecasting and fund management
- An operations guide – linking resources to services, staffing, and department priorities
- A communication tool – clearly explaining fiscal decisions to residents
Reviewers assessed Clayton’s budget across more than a dozen areas, including strategic goals, capital planning, public engagement, financial policies, fund structure, performance measures, and long-range planning.
“This recognition is a testament to our commitment to responsible fiscal management and clear communication with our residents,” said Town Manager Rich Cappola. “We are proud to uphold high standards of service and financial accountability as we plan for Clayton’s future.”
Mayor Jody McLeod echoed that sentiment, adding, “This award affirms what we already know, that Clayton has some of the most dedicated professionals in local government working every day to serve our residents with excellence.”
To be considered for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, local government budgets must not only meet nationally recognized standards for clarity, transparency, and long-term planning, they must also be published and formally submitted to GFOA within 90 days of budget adoption. This strict timeline ensures that only organizations with strong internal processes, discipline, and professionalism earn the award.
“Our goal is to create a budget that is not only financially sound, but also easy for residents to understand and engage with,” said Budget Manager Todd Melton. “This award reflects the hard work of our entire team and Town staff, and our commitment to being transparent, thoughtful stewards of public dollars. We are honored to earn this distinction on behalf of the community we serve.”
This is the second award the Town has received from GFOA this year. In July, Clayton earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, marking the 24th consecutive year the Town has received this honor.
Cappola added that together, these awards reinforce Clayton’s long-standing dedication to high-quality financial reporting and accountability.
To view the FY2026 Budget Presentation, visit TownofClaytonNC.org/Budget
PHOTO CAPTION: Helping the Town earn the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (from left) are Budget & Performance Fellow Laney Taylor, Budget Manager Todd Melton, and Budget & Performance Intern Jessica Watkins.
