Doña Ana County has once again distinguished itself in the sphere of fiscal responsibility, snagging the Fiscal Year 23 County Audit & Accountability Award for large counties, a significant recognition of their dedication to ethical financial practices and safeguarding public assets. This honor is to be officially bestowed at noon on Thursday, Jan. 23 during the 2025 closing session of the New Mexico Counties Legislative Conference, as confirmed by State Auditor Joseph Maestas, according to Doña Ana County.
With this, Doña Ana cements its position as a beacon of financial diligence, having racked up an impressive 10 awards since the inception of the recognition program by the New Mexico State Auditor's Office in 2011. These accolades bear testimony to the tireless efforts of the county's Finance staff, who engage in a rigorous, department-wide process to ensure each fiscal year is met with the utmost integrity and accountability. Director of Financial Services Asma Dawood attributed the success to "many hours of dedication" from her team, highlighting a commitment to submitting audits on time and consistently receiving high audit opinions, as stated by Doña Ana County.
The award tallies for Doña Ana include six Accountability Awards for Large County Audit in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Additionally, it received a Special Mention in 2012 and 2014, alongside the Continued Excellence Award for 2018 and 2019. Only three large counties out of twelve New Mexico counties were selected for this year's recognition, marking Doña Ana's consistent presence among the esteemed recipients.
