The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded Delaware its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the State’s fiscal year 2019 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). This is the 25th consecutive year the State has received this award, which is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

“To have earned this award for 25 consecutive years is both a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to the professionalism of financial personnel throughout State agencies,” said Governor John Carney. “I am proud that our Administration has continued to build upon and strengthen Delaware’s commitment to meeting the highest standards for fiscal disclosure and transparency.”

“The Department of Finance is committed to providing Delaware’s citizens, taxpayers and investors concise and accurate information about our state’s financial health,” said Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger. “Being recognized for a clear and thorough presentation of the state’s financial condition is the culmination of hard work throughout the year by hundreds of state financial staff and officers responsible for handling taxpayer funds with diligence and integrity.”

“The Division of Accounting’s Financial Accounting and Reporting Section (FARS), along with fiscal employees throughout State agencies and school districts have proven their dedication to releasing timely and accurate reporting, as well as their commitment to continuous accountability and transparency in our state government,” said Division of Accounting Director Jane Cole.

The FY2019 CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including 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 GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, IL, and Washington, D.C. Visit http://www.gfoa.org/ for more information.

The CAFR is available to the public at https://accountingfiles.delaware.gov/docs/2019cafr.pdf.

DNREC to cap number of annual surf-fishing permits issued at 17,000

DOVER – Delaware’s Parks and Recreation Council, which advises DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation, today voted to raise surf fishing permit fees this year and to limit the number of permits issued annually to no more than 17,000. Both decisions were made at a regularly-scheduled Parks and Recreation Advisory Council meeting, for which the council had received written comments in advance about the two issues voted on. Over 100 individuals and organizations submitted written comments ahead of the meeting, while about 20 people commented to the council before the vote was taken.

When the approved changes to the surf-fishing program go into effect Feb. 1, yearly surf fishing permit fees will be increased from $80 to $90 for Delaware residents, while out-of-state residents will pay $180 for the annual surf fishing permit, up $20 from 2018 fees. Surf-fishing permit holders will continue to receive the additional benefit of their permit serving as an annual parks pass, providing access to all 17 of DNREC’s Delaware’s state parks.

The fee increase is intended to help ensure public safety, and to continue improving the quality user experience for Delaware State Parks’ visitors, including surf-fishing permit holders, at designated multi-use beaches. Limiting the number of permits will enable more efficient management of the state’s surf-fishing program, said Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens. The fee increase also aligns with DNREC’s priority to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors to Delaware’s award-winning state parks system, he said.

The most common public comment received by DNREC on the surf-fishing program was the request for more enforcement of current surf-fishing rules and regulations. At the meeting, the Division of Parks & Recreation presented findings demonstrating a three-fold increase in the last year for violations of the “actively-engaged in surf fishing” rule. The Division of Parks & Recreation also announced at the meeting the addition of a new full-time Delaware Natural Resources Police Park Ranger for the region and expansion of Rangers’ work week from 37.5 to 40 hours, creating 1,000 hours of expanded coverage annually for the coastal parks. “The ‘actively-engaged’ rule will continue to be a priority area for targeted enforcement in the future,” said Parks & Recreation Director Bivens.

Regarding the cap on annual permits, another presentation made at today’s meeting showed that the issuing of surf-fishing permits has increased at a rate of seven percent annually from 2011-2017. “Implementing a first-come, first-served cap on the number of permits issued is the best way to be equitable to all beach users, to manage a limited resource, and to protect against overcrowding our beaches in the future,” Bivens said.

Sixty-five percent of the funds used to operate and maintain the parks come from the collection of user fees. Revenue generated by the new fee increase will advance the Division of Parks & Recreation’s efforts to improve increase enforcement efforts, improve amenities and better educate parks’ visitors on the state’s multi-use beaches.

The authority to increase park user fees is included in Section 87 of the FY2019 bond bill, and requires “adequate opportunity for public comment and approval of the appropriate public advisory council.” The Parks and Recreation Council is an 11-member board, appointed by the Governor that serves in an advisory capacity to DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation.

Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 13