The race for Monterey County auditor-controller is generally anything but flashy. The role serves as the county’s chief financial oversight position, a watchdog responsible for independent auditing and ensuring public funds are handled properly.
Two candidates have so far filed to run: Enedina Garcia, who currently serves as assistant auditor-controller, and Burcu Mousa, a certified public accountant and former senior leader in the Auditor-Controller’s Office. In addition to serving as the county’s financial watchdog, the office also handles payroll for more than 5,000 county employees every two weeks, allocates property taxes, reviews revenue deposits and vendor payments, and maintains financial records to ensure transparent reporting.
The current auditor-controller, Rupa Shah, is planning to retire.
“It’s all about transparency and public trust,” Mousa says. “It’s a hidden role. You don’t hear about the auditor-controller until something goes wrong. If things are operating as it should, then it’s kind of in the shadows making sure the engine’s running.”
The contested election follows a 2025 disclosure of a multi-year tax calculation error in the county’s property tax system involving a voter-approved bond for the Gonzales Unified School District. The miscalculation impacted around 3,000 parcels, prompting the county to bill undercharged property owners and issue refunds to those who were overcharged.
Mousa has eight-and-a-half years of experience in senior management roles in the Monterey County Auditor-Controller’s office, first as chief deputy of general accounting and later as assistant auditor-controller. Before that, she worked in public accounting, auditing governments, public retirement systems and nonprofits.
Garcia joined the Auditor-Controller’s Office in 2025 after beginning her public service career in Fresno County more than 18 years ago. She started as an accountant before moving into management roles, including accounting and financial division chief and deputy auditor-controller.
“The transition from Fresno to Monterey has been seamless,” Garcia says. Regarding the property tax error, she says the process had been reviewed and additional internal controls were implemented before she joined the county. “I bring a fresh perspective. I see opportunities to enhance efficiencies, reinforce internal controls, elevate accountability, and provide full transparency to our residents.”