Moulton Niguel Water District is being honored by an independent panel of financial experts for its budget transparency and financial accountability.

The Government Finance Officers Association, a nonprofit association of more than 19,000 public finance officials, has awarded the District with its 2019 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The award honors government agencies that adhere to the highest principles of government budgeting and meet nationally-recognized guidelines for public transparency of budget materials.

“We are committed to sound financial planning that allows us to provide our customers with great service,” said Brian Probolsky, President of the Moulton Niguel Board of Directors. “We’re proud to meet the high standards of the Government Finance Officers Association and will continue to adopt balanced budgets that reinvest ratepayer funds into our infrastructure.”

The 2019 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award recognizes the District’s current Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget. Approved by the District’s Board of Directors last summer, the $136.3 million balanced budget reinvests nearly $50 million into capital projects that will ensure ongoing access to high-quality water services. As part of its TAP Initiative, the District publishes its annual budget online along with other financial reports such as the long-range financial plan, financial policies, and comprehensive annual financial report online at mnwd.com/finance.

“Moulton Niguel is committed to the highest standards of financial transparency and budget accountability,” said Moulton Niguel General Manager Joone Lopez.

The distinguished budget award follows other prestigious honors for the District’s financial management. In January, Moulton Niguel was awarded the coveted AAA credit rating by Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, two of the world’s leading independent ratings agencies. For the past decade, the Government Finance Officers Association has also awarded Moulton Niguel with its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Moulton Niguel Water District provides high-quality drinking water, recycled water and wastewater treatment services to customers in Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point. A leader in environmental protection, Moulton Niguel maintains the lowest average bill in South Orange County.