Audit 323608

FY End
2023-12-31
Total Expended
$2.75M
Findings
12
Programs
1
Organization: Mexico Water District (ME)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-10-02
Auditor: Hmv LLC

Organization Exclusion Status:

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Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
501558 2023-001 Material Weakness - P
501559 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - P
501560 2023-003 Significant Deficiency - I
501561 2023-001 Material Weakness - P
501562 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - P
501563 2023-003 Significant Deficiency - I
1078000 2023-001 Material Weakness - P
1078001 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - P
1078002 2023-003 Significant Deficiency - I
1078003 2023-001 Material Weakness - P
1078004 2023-002 Significant Deficiency - P
1078005 2023-003 Significant Deficiency - I

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
10.760 Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities $472,346 Yes 3

Contacts

Name Title Type
PNU9HLRCLLM6 A. Byron Ouelette Auditee
2073642061 Annette Gould Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Mexico Water District has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the “Schedule”) includes the federal award activity of Mexico Water District under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2023. The information in the schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title2 U.S Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of Mexico Water District, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of Mexico Water District.
Title: Significant Accounting Policies Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Mexico Water District has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or limited as to reimbursement.
Title: Indirect Cost Rate Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Mexico Water District has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance. Mexico Water District has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance.
Title: Reporting of Loan Guarantees from the United States Department of Agriculture Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Mexico Water District has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance. The district secured temporary loans from a bank for capital projects. These loans are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) Assistance Listing Number 10.760, which supports Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities. Once the capital project is finished, these loans will be converted to permanent financing with payments made to the USDA. The total federal expenditures for 2023 were $2,747,356.
Title: Loan Guarantees, Loan Balances, and Expenditures by Year with Remaining Unexpended Loan Guarantees Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Mexico Water District has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under Uniform Guidance. Total loan guarantees, expenditures, and unexpended loan guarantees

Finding Details

When completing our audit testing, it was determined that the beginning balances for a significant number of balance sheet accounts were incorrect and materially misstated. The material misstatements in the beginning balances were caused by the 2022 audit adjusting journal entries not being recorded in the accounting system. A properly designed and functioning accounting system has no materially misstated balances. A significant number of balance sheet accounts were materially misstated for all of 2023.
Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.303 states that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award, stating that, "internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in "Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the "Internal Control Integrated Framework", issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).". The accounting department consists of one (1) individual responsible for all accounting functions, including writing and signing checks. Checks signed by the accountant are then mailed for payment without review and approval by another party. This lack of segregation creates a risk that unauthorized transactions could be approved and processed without appropriate oversight. Additionally, there is an increased potential for undetected errors or fraudulent activities. The current organizational structure and limited staffing resources have led to overlapping responsibilities, where duties are not adequately separated due to practical constraints. The absence of proper segregation of duties increases the risk of misappropriation of assets, inaccurate financial reporting, and potential non-compliance with applicable regulations and internal policies. The effectiveness of internal controls is compromised, potentially undermining the reliability of financial statements and safeguarding of assets.
The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards identified in 2 CFR § 200.318 (c)(1) for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. During the audit period, it was noted that the District does not have a formal Conflict of Interest Policy in place. The absence of such a policy indicates a lack of formal procedures to identify, disclose, and manage potential conflicts of interest among employees, board members, and other stakeholders. The District has not yet developed or implemented a Conflict of Interest Policy, which may be due to oversight or a lack of awareness of the importance of such a policy in maintaining ethical standards and regulatory compliance. The absence of a Conflict of Interest Policy increases the risk of potential conflicts of interest going unreported and unmanaged. This could lead to decisions that are not made in the best interest of the District, potential legal or regulatory issues, and damage to the District's reputation.
When completing our audit testing, it was determined that the beginning balances for a significant number of balance sheet accounts were incorrect and materially misstated. The material misstatements in the beginning balances were caused by the 2022 audit adjusting journal entries not being recorded in the accounting system. A properly designed and functioning accounting system has no materially misstated balances. A significant number of balance sheet accounts were materially misstated for all of 2023.
Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.303 states that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award, stating that, "internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in "Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the "Internal Control Integrated Framework", issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).". The accounting department consists of one (1) individual responsible for all accounting functions, including writing and signing checks. Checks signed by the accountant are then mailed for payment without review and approval by another party. This lack of segregation creates a risk that unauthorized transactions could be approved and processed without appropriate oversight. Additionally, there is an increased potential for undetected errors or fraudulent activities. The current organizational structure and limited staffing resources have led to overlapping responsibilities, where duties are not adequately separated due to practical constraints. The absence of proper segregation of duties increases the risk of misappropriation of assets, inaccurate financial reporting, and potential non-compliance with applicable regulations and internal policies. The effectiveness of internal controls is compromised, potentially undermining the reliability of financial statements and safeguarding of assets.
The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards identified in 2 CFR § 200.318 (c)(1) for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. During the audit period, it was noted that the District does not have a formal Conflict of Interest Policy in place. The absence of such a policy indicates a lack of formal procedures to identify, disclose, and manage potential conflicts of interest among employees, board members, and other stakeholders. The District has not yet developed or implemented a Conflict of Interest Policy, which may be due to oversight or a lack of awareness of the importance of such a policy in maintaining ethical standards and regulatory compliance. The absence of a Conflict of Interest Policy increases the risk of potential conflicts of interest going unreported and unmanaged. This could lead to decisions that are not made in the best interest of the District, potential legal or regulatory issues, and damage to the District's reputation.
When completing our audit testing, it was determined that the beginning balances for a significant number of balance sheet accounts were incorrect and materially misstated. The material misstatements in the beginning balances were caused by the 2022 audit adjusting journal entries not being recorded in the accounting system. A properly designed and functioning accounting system has no materially misstated balances. A significant number of balance sheet accounts were materially misstated for all of 2023.
Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.303 states that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award, stating that, "internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in "Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the "Internal Control Integrated Framework", issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).". The accounting department consists of one (1) individual responsible for all accounting functions, including writing and signing checks. Checks signed by the accountant are then mailed for payment without review and approval by another party. This lack of segregation creates a risk that unauthorized transactions could be approved and processed without appropriate oversight. Additionally, there is an increased potential for undetected errors or fraudulent activities. The current organizational structure and limited staffing resources have led to overlapping responsibilities, where duties are not adequately separated due to practical constraints. The absence of proper segregation of duties increases the risk of misappropriation of assets, inaccurate financial reporting, and potential non-compliance with applicable regulations and internal policies. The effectiveness of internal controls is compromised, potentially undermining the reliability of financial statements and safeguarding of assets.
The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards identified in 2 CFR § 200.318 (c)(1) for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. During the audit period, it was noted that the District does not have a formal Conflict of Interest Policy in place. The absence of such a policy indicates a lack of formal procedures to identify, disclose, and manage potential conflicts of interest among employees, board members, and other stakeholders. The District has not yet developed or implemented a Conflict of Interest Policy, which may be due to oversight or a lack of awareness of the importance of such a policy in maintaining ethical standards and regulatory compliance. The absence of a Conflict of Interest Policy increases the risk of potential conflicts of interest going unreported and unmanaged. This could lead to decisions that are not made in the best interest of the District, potential legal or regulatory issues, and damage to the District's reputation.
When completing our audit testing, it was determined that the beginning balances for a significant number of balance sheet accounts were incorrect and materially misstated. The material misstatements in the beginning balances were caused by the 2022 audit adjusting journal entries not being recorded in the accounting system. A properly designed and functioning accounting system has no materially misstated balances. A significant number of balance sheet accounts were materially misstated for all of 2023.
Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.303 states that non-federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award, stating that, "internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in "Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the "Internal Control Integrated Framework", issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).". The accounting department consists of one (1) individual responsible for all accounting functions, including writing and signing checks. Checks signed by the accountant are then mailed for payment without review and approval by another party. This lack of segregation creates a risk that unauthorized transactions could be approved and processed without appropriate oversight. Additionally, there is an increased potential for undetected errors or fraudulent activities. The current organizational structure and limited staffing resources have led to overlapping responsibilities, where duties are not adequately separated due to practical constraints. The absence of proper segregation of duties increases the risk of misappropriation of assets, inaccurate financial reporting, and potential non-compliance with applicable regulations and internal policies. The effectiveness of internal controls is compromised, potentially undermining the reliability of financial statements and safeguarding of assets.
The non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards identified in 2 CFR § 200.318 (c)(1) for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or sub-award. During the audit period, it was noted that the District does not have a formal Conflict of Interest Policy in place. The absence of such a policy indicates a lack of formal procedures to identify, disclose, and manage potential conflicts of interest among employees, board members, and other stakeholders. The District has not yet developed or implemented a Conflict of Interest Policy, which may be due to oversight or a lack of awareness of the importance of such a policy in maintaining ethical standards and regulatory compliance. The absence of a Conflict of Interest Policy increases the risk of potential conflicts of interest going unreported and unmanaged. This could lead to decisions that are not made in the best interest of the District, potential legal or regulatory issues, and damage to the District's reputation.