The Lewis County Board of Commissioners honored a county employee Tuesday afternoon for receiving a nationwide recognition for her performance in the Lewis County Auditor’s Office.
The Lewis County Auditor’s Office Chief Accountant Grace Jimenez was recognized this week by the Government Finance Officers Association. Jimenez is one of just two government employees in the state to receive the award and one of 53 people in the country to receive the recognition.
The association’s Recognition for Outstanding Public Service Award is presented to a public servant who “exemplifies the role of subject matter expert, mentor, innovator, leader and outstanding public servant.”
Jimenez has worked with the county for 11 years. She first started in the accounts payable department before becoming the county auditor’s chief accountant. In her current role, she is responsible for reporting all of the county’s revenue and financial information to the State of Washington each year.
During the budget update, commissioners noted their audits have been clean. Lewis County Budget Administrator Becky Butler said the state often comments on the quality of the county’s financial reports as she looked at Jimenez smiling.
In the description of the award, the association stated it began handing out the honor last year to give credit to public servants who often work behind the scenes and don't receive the recognition they deserve.
While thankful for the award, Jimenez said she doesn't feel that way about her job and that the community within the county government does a good job of recognizing a job well done.
“Actually, here at the county, it’s not so much a thankless job. It’s really nice because I think everybody in the county respects Larry (Grove) and our office,” Jimenez said. “We work with everyone else at the county and their different roles really well. I don't think of it as much like hiding in the back room.”
She recognized that she didn't know much about the award before receiving it. She gave much of the credit to her office and Lewis County Auditor Larry Grove, describing him as her mentor.
