For the 26th year, the city of Luverne has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
At their March 9 meeting, Luverne City Council members formally recognized city finance director Barb Berghorst for her efforts in qualifying the city for the award.
“Thanks for the great job you do,” Mayor Pat Baustian told Berghorst.
He pointed out that when Berghorst started working with the city in 1991, it had a bond credit rating of BBB minus. Today, it’s AA minus.
Berghorst thanked the council but also credited her staff for their hard work.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. It represents a “significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the city of Luverne for its comprehensive annual financial report every year since 1994.
It is a prestigious national award recognizing conformance with the high standards for preparation of state and local government financial reports.
Berghorst is the person primarily responsible for achieving the award for Luverne.