Cochise County Budget Manager Stacy Fenhaus was recognized on Mar. 24 with the Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the second consecutive year.
The award is given to individuals who play a key role in their government receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, which is considered the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting. Cochise County received this distinction for its fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025.
The GFOA evaluates budgets based on how well they serve as a policy document, financial plan, operations guide, and communication tool. The Certificate of Recognition highlights Fenhaus’s continued commitment to public service and responsible financial management.
“Receiving this recognition two years in a row speaks to the strength and consistency of Cochise County’s financial management,” said Board Chair and District 3 Supervisor Frank Antenori. “Stacy’s work ensures that our budget is not only fiscally responsible, but also clear and accessible to the public we serve.”
While county officials celebrate this achievement in fiscal stewardship, educational performance data show ongoing challenges for local students. In Cochise County, 70% of students in grades 3 through 8 did not pass the mathematics section of the AASA during the 2022-23 school year according to Arizona Department of Education. For high schoolers taking the ACT that same year, 76% failed mathematics according to Arizona Department of Education. English proficiency rates were also low: 62.4% of students in grades 3 through 8 failed English on AASA according to Arizona Department of Education, while among high schoolers taking ACT English, failure rates reached 65% according to Arizona Department of Education.
Recent data indicate some improvement: In Cochise County, about one out of four high schoolers—27%—passed mathematics on the ACT during the current academic year according to Arizona Department of Education, while nearly three out of ten younger students—28.5%—passed mathematics on AASA according to Arizona Department of Education.
The Government Finance Officers Association represents finance officials throughout North America and promotes best practices in governmental accounting and reporting.
