TheRide Wins Prestigious Budget Award

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority was recently awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association for its Fiscal Year 2018 Operating and Capital Budget. This was the first time in TheRide’s history that they submitted their budget for this prestigious award.

Catherine McClary, Washtenaw County Treasurer and former Director on the Executive Board of GFOA and Immediate Past President of the Michigan GFOA attended TheRide’s June Board Meeting and presented the Board of Directors and staff the award. “This is a very exciting honor for our transportation authority to earn this incredibly prestigious award from an international organization. In Michigan, only 107 local governments received this certification for Distinguished Budget Presentation,” McClary said.
 
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is a significant achievement as it recognizes the commitment of TheRide’s Board of Directors and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
 
For TheRide to achieve this award, the organization had to satisfy many nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation and be rated as “proficient” in four categories: a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.
 
“The award recognizes efforts made by TheRide to modernize our budgeting procedures, and to communicate in open, meaningful ways. It acknowledges effective stewardship of the public’s investment in transit, and our transparency in presenting financial information. Budgeting is a team effort that involves AAATA’s Board, CEO, Finance Manager, and all department managers,” John Metzinger, deputy CEO, finance and administration for TheRide said.
 
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of TheRide, I would like to congratulate John Metzinger, Phil Webb, and the entire AAATA staff for this well-deserved distinction. Our Finance and Administration team, along with the entire staff, embodies TheRide’s commitment to customer service, fiscal responsibility, transparency, growth and overall excellence.  TheRide is better positioned to serve the needs of its customers than ever before, thanks in large part to their vision and dedication to their mission,” stated Eric Mahler, chair of TheRide’s Board of Directors.   
 
TheRide is currently developing their Fiscal Year 2019 Operating and Capital Budget that will begin October 1, 2018. TheRide will be hosting a public meeting for feedback on their recommended Strategic Business Plan and budget in mid-July. More information will be made available soon.