The City of Fairhope has received national recognition for excellence in financial transparency and communication, earning the Government Finance Officers Association’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024.

The award honors Fairhope’s Popular Annual Financial Report, a reader-friendly summary designed to clearly communicate the city’s financial position and operations to residents and stakeholders a news release said. Eligibility requires governments to also submit an annual comprehensive financial report to GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program and receive the certificate for the same fiscal year.

Fairhope met that standard, allowing its report to be reviewed by independent judges who evaluated submissions on reader appeal, understandability, distribution methods, creativity and other key elements intended to improve public access to financial information.

The Popular Annual Financial Reporting award is part of GFOA’s broader effort to encourage governments to go beyond technical compliance and present financial data in ways that are transparent and accessible to the public.

Founded to advance excellence in government finance, the Government Finance Officers Association provides best practices, professional development, resources and practical research to more than 25,000 members and the communities they serve across the United States and Canada. More information about the organization and its programs is available at www.gfoa.org.