Los Alamos County Wins 2024 Audit Award, Eighth Time in Decade

Los Alamos County received the New Mexico Audit & Accountability Award for fiscal year 2024, a recognition jointly presented by New Mexico Counties and the Office of the State Auditor that highlights timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, and high audit performance. County Administrative Services Director Helen Perraglio, County Manager Anne Laurent, and County Council Chair Randall Ryti accepted the award at the 2026 New Mexico Counties Legislative Conference on Jan. 22, 2026.

This marks the eighth time in the last 10 years that Los Alamos County has earned the award, a run that county officials describe as evidence of sustained attention to accounting practices and internal oversight. The award criteria emphasize punctual submission of audited financial statements, effective control structures to protect public assets, and consistently high audit results. For residents, those practices translate into clearer public accounts and greater assurance that taxpayer dollars are tracked and managed according to established standards.

The recognition arrives amid ongoing discussions nationwide about fiscal transparency and municipal accountability. For Los Alamos County, the award reinforces institutional practices that matter to everyday services - from road maintenance and public safety to permitting and social services - because reliable financial systems underpin budget planning and program delivery. The award also signals to state agencies, grantmakers, and bond underwriters that the county maintains sound financial controls and reporting discipline, which can smooth interactions and oversight going forward.

Institutionally, the county’s repeated success points to a combination of stable administrative leadership and investment in finance staff and systems. Administrative Services Director Helen Perraglio oversees the departments directly responsible for audits and reporting; County Manager Anne Laurent coordinates countywide policy implementation; and County Council Chair Randall Ryti provides governance oversight. That alignment between administration and elected leadership is central to sustaining audit-ready operations year after year.

For civic engagement, the award offers a timely moment for residents to review county financial reports, attend budget workshops, and participate in Council meetings with informed questions about priorities and long-term fiscal strategy. Transparent accounting practices make those public conversations more productive by providing reliable data for evaluation.

Los Alamos County’s eighth award in a decade affirms a pattern of fiscal stewardship, but it is also a reminder that transparency and controls require ongoing attention. Residents who follow the county budget process will find that consistent audit performance supports accountable decision-making; the next steps for officials will be to maintain those practices and continue inviting public oversight as budget and policy choices are made.