Rockdale County's Finance Department recently received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the second consecutive year for fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.

 “This is a great accomplishment for Rockdale County,” Rockdale County Chairman and CEO Richard Oden said. “The outstanding level of expertise our Department of Finance possesses solidifies our strength as a county to wisely manage taxpayers dollars with integrity, sound business acumen and conservative values.”

 This is the second time in 147 years the county has received this recognition.

 Rockdale's financial audit, completed in September 2010, concluded that “Rockdale County was one of the strongest counties with respect to its financial position, of any county in the metro area. This is testimony to the good financial stewardship the county provides.”

 The bond rating for Rockdale County also increased in November 2010 to a Aa2 rating on $13 million in General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds. Rockdale County maintains Aa2 and Aa3 ratings from Moody’s national rating agency for its general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and certificates of participation.

Stephen J. Gauthier, Director of GFOA, wrote in a letter to Oden, “we hope that your (Rockdale County) example will encourage other government officials in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting.”