2009 Annual Operating and Capital Budget - Village of Huntley

Budget Format
The annual budget document represents the single most important policy document adopted
each year by the Village President and Board of Trustees. Each year the Village makes it a goal
to improve the budget document for the purpose of clearly communicating Village priorities in
providing services and public improvements for the benefit of Village residents.
Once again, the Village is preparing to submit this year’s budget to the Government Finance
Officer’s Association (GFOA) for consideration as a part of the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget
Presentation Award Program. The Village has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award for five consecutive years. The program was established in 1984 and recognizes
exemplary budget documentation by municipalities and other governmental entities. The
Village will continue to adjust and augment the document, as necessary, in an effort to not
only receive the award but to enrich the document as a communication tool.
In addition, it is important to note that for six (6) consecutive years the Village has received
the GFOA Certificate of Achievement Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. In order
to earn this prestigious award the Village must publish an easily readable and efficiently
organized comprehensive financial report. The Village is one of just twenty five (25)
governmental entities within the State of Illinois to be awarded both the Distinguished Budget
Award and the Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Certificate.
Budget Process Overview
The adoption of the annual budget by the Village Board of Trustees does not constitute a
mandate to spend but rather only the authority to do so. This is a critical concept that takes
on even greater importance in FY2009 due to the current economic conditions facing the
Village. Simply stated if revenues do not meet estimated levels, spending will be curtailed and
if necessary, suspended for nothing but essential Village services.
Village of Huntley FY2009 Budget Transmittal Letter 2