The City of Ventura received a Beacon Spotlight Award for its measurable achievements in reducing community greenhouse gas emissions, further illustrating its dedication to meet state climate goals. The Beacon Award, which is sponsored by the Institute for Local Government (ILG), honored Ventura with a Silver Level Award for an eight percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during a special virtual presentation in conjunction with the League of Cities Annual Conference.
This award builds on Ventura’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability. Since joining the Beacon Program in 2010, the City has been recognized for numerous achievements for saving energy and implementing sustainability best practices like implementing a green business certification program, expanding open spaces, planting drought-resistant landscaping, and encouraging alternate modes of transportation.
“The health of our residents and the environment that surrounds us is a top priority in Ventura,” said Mayor Matt LaVere. “We are proud of the work our City has done to accomplish energy efficiency goals, and it is a great honor for Ventura to be recognized with a Beacon Spotlight Award for our efforts.”
In addition to participating in the Beacon Program, the City of Ventura is also part of ILG’s BOOST Pilot Program, a joint endeavor of the ILG and the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to help local governments address California’s climate and equity goals. Through the BOOST Program, the City has secured more $700,000 in grant funding to support its comprehensive planning effort, which will include the City’s first Climate Action and Resilience Plan. The City’s participation in both programs provides additional resources to assist with climate and resilience initiatives. For more information about the City’s Environmental Sustainability Division, visit our website.
Currently, 161 cities and counties throughout the state participate in the Beacon Program. The Institute for Local Government established the Beacon Program to create a framework to assist local governments in setting goals, documenting progress and sharing best practices that create healthier, more efficient, vibrant communities.
To learn more about the City of Ventura’s achievements visit: www.ca-ilg.org/beacon-award-participant-profile/city-ventura.
The City of Ventura has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2019. This year marks the 29th consecutive year that the City has received this award.
“The City of Ventura is honored to be recognized by this prestigious award in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting,” said City Manager Alex McIntyre. “I’m proud of the dedication and great job our finance team has done with the budget. This award is no small endeavor and demonstrates the commitment of both the Council and City to clearly communicate our financial information with the public.”
The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners.
