1. Proactive in Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

• Special Audits Targeted Misuse: Acted swiftly when concerns were raised, ordering targeted audits of school districts, municipalities, and universities to root out fraud and waste at the source.

• Modernized Investigations: Streamlined our fraud case management system—cutting response times and securing stronger accountability. Today, our investigations move at the speed of urgency.

• Cut Costs, Delivered Savings: By closing the unused Albuquerque office, we saved New Mexico taxpayers approximately $250,000 annually—directly reinvesting resources where they matter most.

• Demanded Accountability: Called for—and completed—the first full audit in decades of New Mexico’s statewide financial system. Our findings led to tighter controls in multiple agencies and strengthened fiscal oversight.

• High-Performing Team: Reduced staff vacancy rates by 40%, boosting our capacity to tackle fraud and deliver thorough, timely audits.

• Secured Record Funding: Won a historic $2M appropriation for the Audit Fund, ensuring faster response and more assistance for agencies statewide.

2. Greater Protection for Our Most Vulnerable

• Stronger Oversight: Strengthened financial monitoring of conservatorships and expanded legal protections for vulnerable New Mexicans who depend on us.

• Opioid Funds: Action, Not Bureaucracy: Developed protocols ensuring every settlement dollar supports community recovery instead of getting mired in red tape.

• Responsive Service Improvements: Overhauled operations with hybrid telework and comprehensive wellness initiatives—improving service for families and individuals who need us most.

3. Driving Capital Outlay Reform 

• Freed Blocked Public Funds: Unlocked $6.2M for local projects with direct compliance assistance, which will put people in our communities to work.

• More on the Horizon: Identified and began freeing up another $2.2M for infrastructure, backed by new transparency standards.

• Long-Term Compliance Strategy: Implemented sustainable compliance programs for small municipalities, ensuring funds fuel real benefit.

• Championed Legislation: Pushed reforms set for July 1, 2025, to address $5.8B in stalled projects, incentivizing proper financial stewardship statewide.

• Supporting New Dispatch Center Oversight: With Sandoval County opening its new emergency dispatch center, our office is closely auditing its operations—from cash balances to call volume—to shore up future performance and transparency. We collaborated with municipal leaders during pivotal negotiations, ensuring all partners start off right and public safety funding remains solid.
  

4. Turning Audit Data into Action

• Data-Driven Insights: Published reports highlighting audit trends across public agencies, leading to practical recommendations and robust change.

• Investing in Talent: Launched a flagship intern program with New Mexico’s universities and a support pathway for staff to achieve CPA licensure—growing local future leaders in public accountability.

• Embracing Technology: Integrated AI and advanced analytics to sharpen our work, positioning New Mexico at the forefront of the intersection between accounting and technology.

• Team Focused on Results: Built an executive team dedicated to making audit findings mean something—transforming insight into measurable change.

• The State Auditor is not just addressing today’s audit needs—we’re creating solutions for tomorrow. By advocating expanded endowment funds and STEM inclusion with the Governor and educational leaders, we’re investing in a new wave of accounting professionals to keep New Mexico’s financial integrity thriving for years to come.