Costa Mesa Payroll Finance Officer Anna Dolewski receives Outstanding Public Service Award

Longtime Payroll Finance Officer Anna Dolewski has received the prestigious Outstanding Public Service award from the Government Finance Officer Association.

Dolewski was nominated by her colleagues for the award for her outstanding service to the City of Costa Mesa.

“Anna is a trusted colleague and an inspiring figure in local government finance,” said Interim City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly. “Her contributions to Costa Mesa has left the city’s financial operations in a strong position. I am so proud and happy for her that she was honored with this award.”

The Government Finance Officer Association represents over 20,000 finance officials throughout the United States and Canada. It is dedicated to advancing excellence in public finance and provides resources, education and advocacy for its members.

Outstanding Public Service honors individuals for their dedication to the profession, their colleagues, their organization, and their communities. It is the dedication and work of finance professionals that is instrumental in government operations, but often occurs behind the scenes.

“Anna is an outstanding public servant and her dedication to the City has been instrumental for payroll operations,” Finance Director Carol Molina said. “Anna is always willing to take on any challenge and provide exceptional customer service.”

Dolewski has worked for the City for over 36 years and has played a key role in the payroll operations for the City. She has demonstrated unparalleled commitment, precision, and leadership.

“I would like to thank the Government Finance Officer Association for honoring me with this award and the team that nominated me for this recognition,” Dolewski said. “I have spent the majority of my career with the City of Costa Mesa and it has been an honor to be part of a great organization that values its employees. I am very grateful that I have had the opportunity to grow professionally within the organization.”

As Finance Officer, she is the City’s foremost expert on payroll operations and her pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic showcased her ingenuity and reliability – she implemented digital tracking systems for cost recovery and successfully navigated federal reimbursement processes. Beyond technical mastery, Dolewski’s dedication to employee service stands out. She offers guidance through complex payroll items and ensures every payroll inquiry is met with kindness and expertise.

For more about the award click here.