Haverhill City Auditor and Chief Financial Officer Angel A. Perkins this past Tuesday was cheered by city councilors after being presented with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the city’s current year budget.
The award, presented by Chicago-based Government Finance Officers Association, represents “the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles in governmental budgeting, according to a news release from the organization. Mayor Melinda E. Barrett called Perkins the “wizard” behind the budget.
“When left to her own devices, she kept us on the straight and narrow,” Barrett said.
The budget was judged on how well it serves as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and communications guide. Haverhill’s budget was rated proficient in those four categories and within the 14 mandatory categories to receive the award.
More than 1,700 candidates participated in the Budget Awards Program.
The organization’s press release explains, “Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.”
As WHAV reported in 2023, Perkins was also honored with the award under former Mayor James J. Fiorentini.