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Awards

Montecito Water District is an award winning agency.

Transparency Certificate of Excellence

Montecito Water District is proud to have been awarded the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation in 2024, a renewal of its prior certificate received in 2019. This award indicates that Montecito Water District meets essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner. SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and other recognition programs. 

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Awarded to Montecito Water District by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for three consecutive Fiscal Years:  2022-23, 2023-24,  and 2024-25.
The Award recognizes individual governments that succeed in preparing budget documents of the very highest quality that reflect both the guidelines established by the National Advisory Council on State and Local Budgeting and the GFOA's best practices on budgeting. To earn recognition, budget documents must meet program criteria and excel as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool. Through rigorous evaluation, approximately 1,800 governments, including states, cities, counties, special districts, school districts, have been recognized for transparency in budgeting.

Small Utility Award

Presented by American Water Works Association (AWWA) in Spring 2025, this award recognizes the positive accomplishments of well-operated smaller utilities, which perform all the same duties and have the same responsibilities as larger agencies, but often with limited staff, funds and resources. High standards and integrity are foundational to the award which may consider a variety of criteria including Water Quality, Operational Records, Maintenance, Professionalism, Safety, and Emergency Preparedness.