Getting Finances in Order

San Juan County is recognized for its financial excellence with awards at both the state and national level four consecutive years. The Farmington Museum system is set to release the strategic update this summer with the search for a new museum director to start in the next couple of months. And celebrate art in the community with the Art is for Everyone classes and art shows at the Sycamore Park Community Center. You're watching the Local News Roundup, brought to you by Distil Beer, Wine, and Spirits, and Sunray Park and Casino. San Juan County was recently recognized for its financial accountability with the awards at both the state and government level for its '21, '22, and '23 fiscal years. Last week, San Juan County was honored with the Large County Audit and Accountability Award for 2021 by New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas. This is the third year the county has received the award, which recognizes excellence in audit results, timely audit reports, and clean findings. The county also received awards from the Government Finance Officers Association of the US and Canada, or GFOA, for the third consecutive year. The triple crown of awards included the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for 2022 for the 17th consecutive year, the popular annual Financial Reporting Award for 2022 for the third consecutive year, and the distinguished Budget Presentation Award for 2023 for the 15th consecutive year. A years-long process is coming to a close with the anticipated release of the long-term strategic plan for the Farmington Museum system, which includes the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park, the Museum of Navajo Art and Culture, and the E3 Children's Museum and Science Center. The strategic plan process kicked off in December 2019 with a series of meetings and the hiring of a consulting firm, but was paused with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the city's decision to finalize the comprehensive plan update before finishing the museum's strategic plan. The plan maps out the strategic future and goals of the museum system, which has influenced the hiring process for the new museum director after the former director, Bart Wilsey, retired in November 2023 after 17 years. The job posting for the museum's director is expected to open in the next couple of months. Looking for something fun to do on a Friday afternoon? Come join local artist Crystal Hazen and The Arc for their Art for Everyone Class. The class offers a way to be creative, have fun, and build community with or without words. Open to adults of all abilities, the class is every Friday at 1:00 PM at the Sycamore Park Community Center. Even if you're not able to make it to a class, you are still invited to the monthly art show on the first Friday of every month. Learn more about these and other stories online at farmingtonlocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of The Local News Network. I'm Connor Shreve.