ROCKPORT — Megan Brackett, finance director for the town of Rockport, has propelled the town’s budget process and plan into the spotlight before her peers across the country.

In December, the Government Finance Officers Association, which represents municipal governments in the U.S. and Canada, honored Brackett with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2016-2017 budget.

“The award represents a significant achievement by the entity,” it read. “It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.”

To receive the award, the budget must evidence that the budget serves a policy document, financial plan, operations guide and a communication device, and must be proficient in all four categories,

Brackett was honored with the award from a program of more than 1,600 participants.