The Finance Division develops and publishes the City's annual operating and capital improvement budgets. The goal of the budget is to reflect City policies, goals, and priorities and to communicate to Council, citizens, and staff an action plan that facilitates fiscal responsibility.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) and California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) presented a "Distinguished Budget Presentation Award" to the City of Lake Elsinore for its Annual Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017. In order to receive this award, a government unit must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan, and as a communications device.