Audit 338355

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$6.04M
Findings
28
Programs
4
Organization: City of Westminster, Maryland (MD)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-01-16
Auditor: Sb & Company LLC

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
519406 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
519407 2024-002 - - N
519408 2024-003 - Yes N
519409 2024-004 - - N
519410 2024-005 - - E
519411 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
519412 2024-002 - - N
519413 2024-003 - Yes N
519414 2024-004 - - N
519415 2024-005 - - E
519416 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
519417 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
519418 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
519419 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
1095848 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
1095849 2024-002 - - N
1095850 2024-003 - Yes N
1095851 2024-004 - - N
1095852 2024-005 - - E
1095853 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
1095854 2024-002 - - N
1095855 2024-003 - Yes N
1095856 2024-004 - - N
1095857 2024-005 - - E
1095858 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
1095859 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
1095860 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P
1095861 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - P

Programs

Contacts

Name Title Type
QYL1GWFYPE77 Theresa Rodgers Auditee
4108483274 William Seymour Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: BASIS OF PRESENTATION Accounting Policies: All Federal grant operations of the City of Westminster, Maryland (the City) are included in the scope of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Single Audit). The Single Audit was performed in accordance with the provisions of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Compliance Supplement (the Compliance Supplement). Compliance testing of all requirements, as described in the Compliance Supplement, was performed for the major grant program noted below. The programs on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) represent all Federal award programs and other grants with fiscal year 2024 cash or non-cash expenditure activities. For our single audit testing, we tested the Federal award programs below with fiscal year 2024 cash and non-cash expenditures to ensure coverage of at least 40% of Federally granted funds. Actual coverage was 98%. Major Programs Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Voucher Cluster 14.871 $ 3,225,981 Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 21.027 2,682,856 $ 5,908,837 Federal Assistance Listing Federal Expenditures Expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying Schedule includes the Federal award activity of the City under programs of the Federal government for the year ended June 30, 2024, and is reported on the accrual basis of accounting. The information in the Schedule is presented in accordance with Uniform Guidance. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the City, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of the City.
Title: RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE SCHEDULE Accounting Policies: All Federal grant operations of the City of Westminster, Maryland (the City) are included in the scope of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Single Audit). The Single Audit was performed in accordance with the provisions of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Compliance Supplement (the Compliance Supplement). Compliance testing of all requirements, as described in the Compliance Supplement, was performed for the major grant program noted below. The programs on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) represent all Federal award programs and other grants with fiscal year 2024 cash or non-cash expenditure activities. For our single audit testing, we tested the Federal award programs below with fiscal year 2024 cash and non-cash expenditures to ensure coverage of at least 40% of Federally granted funds. Actual coverage was 98%. Major Programs Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Voucher Cluster 14.871 $ 3,225,981 Department of the Treasury Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds 21.027 2,682,856 $ 5,908,837 Federal Assistance Listing Federal Expenditures Expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance), wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Intergovernmental revenues per audited financial statements: Governmental funds $ 9,734,810 Total intergovernmental revenues 9,734,810 Less: state and local grants 3,693,091 Total Expenditures of Federal Awards $ 6,041,719

Finding Details

Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Enforcement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: For units under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract that fail to meet HQS, the Public Housing Agency (PHA) must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other HQS deficiencies within 30 calendar days or within a specified PHA-approved extension (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where a life threatening HQS deficiency was not corrected within 24 hours of the inspection. The City’s Housing Authority had approved an extension for the issue to be corrected, but no documentation of this extension was kept in the tenant file. Cause: The City does not have a consistent process to document extensions for HQS deficiencies. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HQS Enforcement guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement a policy to properly document HQS deficiency correction extensions within the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: Yes, 2023-003 Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for Federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interestbearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City did not enter into a depository agreement with their financial institution until April 17, 2024. From July 1, 2023 to April 16, 2024 the City was not compliant with HUD’s depository agreement requirement. This non-compliance was brought to the attention of management during their 2024 fiscal year and was corrected soon after. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with HUD Reasonable Rent Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The PHA must determine that the rent to the owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the PHA must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 10 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The PHA must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract) (24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 1 tenant where the rent reasonableness documentation was missing from the tenant file and therefore we could not determine if rent reasonableness was properly completed or reviewed. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to ensure proper documentation of rent reasonableness. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with HUD’s reasonable rent guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a policy to track documents necessary for a tenant’s evaluation and annual re-evaluation to ensure all are properly documented in the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Internal Control Finding - Eligibility Repeat Finding: No Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.303: The non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The PHA must have sufficient internal controls in place to ensure the proper administration of HUD funding. Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where the tenant affidavit for rental assistance benefits was not signed by a housing specialist. Therefore, these two selections did not have evidence that the tenant information was reviewed. Cause: The City does not have a proper policy in place to ensure documentation of review procedures. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially create a HAP contract with a tenant that is ineligible for rental assistance. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that tenant evaluations and annual re-evaluations are reviewed by a supervisor prior to creating a HAP contract or renewing an existing contract to ensure tenant files are properly reviewed and documented. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Enforcement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: For units under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract that fail to meet HQS, the Public Housing Agency (PHA) must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other HQS deficiencies within 30 calendar days or within a specified PHA-approved extension (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where a life threatening HQS deficiency was not corrected within 24 hours of the inspection. The City’s Housing Authority had approved an extension for the issue to be corrected, but no documentation of this extension was kept in the tenant file. Cause: The City does not have a consistent process to document extensions for HQS deficiencies. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HQS Enforcement guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement a policy to properly document HQS deficiency correction extensions within the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: Yes, 2023-003 Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for Federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interestbearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City did not enter into a depository agreement with their financial institution until April 17, 2024. From July 1, 2023 to April 16, 2024 the City was not compliant with HUD’s depository agreement requirement. This non-compliance was brought to the attention of management during their 2024 fiscal year and was corrected soon after. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with HUD Reasonable Rent Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The PHA must determine that the rent to the owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the PHA must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 10 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The PHA must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract) (24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 1 tenant where the rent reasonableness documentation was missing from the tenant file and therefore we could not determine if rent reasonableness was properly completed or reviewed. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to ensure proper documentation of rent reasonableness. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with HUD’s reasonable rent guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a policy to track documents necessary for a tenant’s evaluation and annual re-evaluation to ensure all are properly documented in the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Internal Control Finding - Eligibility Repeat Finding: No Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.303: The non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The PHA must have sufficient internal controls in place to ensure the proper administration of HUD funding. Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where the tenant affidavit for rental assistance benefits was not signed by a housing specialist. Therefore, these two selections did not have evidence that the tenant information was reviewed. Cause: The City does not have a proper policy in place to ensure documentation of review procedures. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially create a HAP contract with a tenant that is ineligible for rental assistance. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that tenant evaluations and annual re-evaluations are reviewed by a supervisor prior to creating a HAP contract or renewing an existing contract to ensure tenant files are properly reviewed and documented. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Enforcement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: For units under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract that fail to meet HQS, the Public Housing Agency (PHA) must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other HQS deficiencies within 30 calendar days or within a specified PHA-approved extension (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where a life threatening HQS deficiency was not corrected within 24 hours of the inspection. The City’s Housing Authority had approved an extension for the issue to be corrected, but no documentation of this extension was kept in the tenant file. Cause: The City does not have a consistent process to document extensions for HQS deficiencies. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HQS Enforcement guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement a policy to properly document HQS deficiency correction extensions within the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: Yes, 2023-003 Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for Federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interestbearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City did not enter into a depository agreement with their financial institution until April 17, 2024. From July 1, 2023 to April 16, 2024 the City was not compliant with HUD’s depository agreement requirement. This non-compliance was brought to the attention of management during their 2024 fiscal year and was corrected soon after. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with HUD Reasonable Rent Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The PHA must determine that the rent to the owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the PHA must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 10 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The PHA must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract) (24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 1 tenant where the rent reasonableness documentation was missing from the tenant file and therefore we could not determine if rent reasonableness was properly completed or reviewed. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to ensure proper documentation of rent reasonableness. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with HUD’s reasonable rent guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a policy to track documents necessary for a tenant’s evaluation and annual re-evaluation to ensure all are properly documented in the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Internal Control Finding - Eligibility Repeat Finding: No Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.303: The non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The PHA must have sufficient internal controls in place to ensure the proper administration of HUD funding. Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where the tenant affidavit for rental assistance benefits was not signed by a housing specialist. Therefore, these two selections did not have evidence that the tenant information was reviewed. Cause: The City does not have a proper policy in place to ensure documentation of review procedures. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially create a HAP contract with a tenant that is ineligible for rental assistance. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that tenant evaluations and annual re-evaluations are reviewed by a supervisor prior to creating a HAP contract or renewing an existing contract to ensure tenant files are properly reviewed and documented. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Enforcement Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: For units under Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract that fail to meet HQS, the Public Housing Agency (PHA) must require the owner to correct any life threatening HQS deficiencies within 24 hours after the inspections and all other HQS deficiencies within 30 calendar days or within a specified PHA-approved extension (24 CFR sections 982.158(d) and 982.404). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where a life threatening HQS deficiency was not corrected within 24 hours of the inspection. The City’s Housing Authority had approved an extension for the issue to be corrected, but no documentation of this extension was kept in the tenant file. Cause: The City does not have a consistent process to document extensions for HQS deficiencies. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HQS Enforcement guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement a policy to properly document HQS deficiency correction extensions within the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: Yes, 2023-003 Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for Federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interestbearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City did not enter into a depository agreement with their financial institution until April 17, 2024. From July 1, 2023 to April 16, 2024 the City was not compliant with HUD’s depository agreement requirement. This non-compliance was brought to the attention of management during their 2024 fiscal year and was corrected soon after. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with HUD Reasonable Rent Requirement Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The PHA must determine that the rent to the owner is reasonable at the time of initial leasing. Also, the PHA must determine reasonable rent during the term of the contract (a) before any increase in the rent to owner, and (b) at the HAP contract anniversary if there is a 10 percent decrease in the published Fair Market Rent in effect 60 days before the HAP contract anniversary. The PHA must maintain records to document the basis for the determination that rent to owner is a reasonable rent (initially and during the term of the HAP contract) (24 CFR sections 982.4, 982.54(d)(15), 982.158(f)(7), and 982.507). Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 1 tenant where the rent reasonableness documentation was missing from the tenant file and therefore we could not determine if rent reasonableness was properly completed or reviewed. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to ensure proper documentation of rent reasonableness. Effect or Potential Effect: The City would fail to comply with HUD’s reasonable rent guidelines. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a policy to track documents necessary for a tenant’s evaluation and annual re-evaluation to ensure all are properly documented in the tenant files. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Internal Control Finding - Eligibility Repeat Finding: No Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR §200.303: The non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. The PHA must have sufficient internal controls in place to ensure the proper administration of HUD funding. Condition and Context: We tested a sample of 25 HAP contracts and found 2 tenants where the tenant affidavit for rental assistance benefits was not signed by a housing specialist. Therefore, these two selections did not have evidence that the tenant information was reviewed. Cause: The City does not have a proper policy in place to ensure documentation of review procedures. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially create a HAP contract with a tenant that is ineligible for rental assistance. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that tenant evaluations and annual re-evaluations are reviewed by a supervisor prior to creating a HAP contract or renewing an existing contract to ensure tenant files are properly reviewed and documented. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.
Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting – Payroll Repeat Findings: No Criteria: The City’s payroll department should ensure all timesheets are approved by appropriate supervisor before payroll is processed and disbursed. Supervisory approval of timesheets assists preventing errors, fraud, or misuse of resources. Condition and Context: We tested a population of 25 payroll transactions for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 over four pay periods and found that 3 employees selected for testing did not have properly approved timesheets. Effect or Potential Effect: The City could potentially allow for unapproved time to be paid to employees. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City review their internal controls processes and procedures over payroll processing to ensure all timesheets are properly approved before payroll is processed. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.