Santa Fe, New Mexico – The New Mexico Association of Counties (NMAC) and State Auditor Wayne Johnson selected Doña Ana, Curry, Chaves, Los Alamos, Guadalupe, Quay, and Roosevelt Counties for the annual Audit Accountability Awards that were given out at its Legislative Conference Thursday, January 18, 2018. The awards are given in recognition to large, mid-size, and small counties that have done outstanding work on their audits, submitted their audits in a timely manner, and have sustained excellence with the highest audit opinions. In addition, an award is given to the most improved county.

This is the first time for Colfax, Guadalupe, and Roosevelt Counties, the second time for Chaves and Doña Ana Counties, and the third time for Los Alamos and Quay Counties to win the Audit Accountability Award since the inception of the awards in 2011.

Doña Ana County continues to receive unmodified opinions with zero findings since 2011 and Bernalillo County received an honorable mention with unmodified opinions since 2011 and with only three findings in 2016. Curry, Chaves, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, and Quay Counties have received unmodified opinions with zero findings in 2016. Roosevelt County received the Most Improved County Award with an unmodified opinion and only three findings in FY 2016, an amazing improvement from FY 2015 with multiple opinions and 14 findings, and a testament to County Manager Amber Hamilton's leadership. An unmodified opinion is the best opinion that can be given, and means that the financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with GAAP.

"These awards highlight the efforts of counties to be good stewards of public monies," said Wayne Johnson, State Auditor. "More importantly, they show a commitment to excellence that has a direct and tangible benefit to the people they serve." Steve Kopelman, NMAC Executive Director stated, "These counties are to be commended for their fiscal responsibility and high level of accountability. Receiving this award is an outstanding accomplishment."

The New Mexico Association of Counties is a non-profit, nonpartisan association representing and serving New Mexico's 33 counties. As a professional association of county elected officials and employees. NMAC supports and promotes the idea that all county elected officials and professional county employees should have the opportunity to act together to solve problems and to work for the progress of county governments in New Mexico. NMAC provides numerous programs and services to counties including legislative representation, self-insurance, legal assistance and professional development. Please contact Susan Mayes at 505.469.0042 or smayes@nmcounties.org or for more information and updates on our events, programs and other initiatives, visit www.nmcounties.org.