FAC Explorer

Audit 365725

FY End
2024-12-31
Total Expended
$1.92M
Findings
2
Programs
6
Organization: City of Rhinelander (WI)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-09-05
Auditor: Baker Tilly US LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
575731 2024-003 Material Weakness Yes I
1152173 2024-003 Material Weakness Yes I

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
10.760 Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities $1.23M Yes 1
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $422,863 - 0
20.509 Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program $240,189 - 0
45.024 Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals $22,516 - 0
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $2,700 - 0
90.404 Hava Election Security Grants $1,602 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
GSMNH48CT1H8 Wendi Bixby Auditee
7153658600 Sheanne Hediger Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual or modified accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts shown on the Schedule represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. Pass-through entity identifying numbers are presented where available. The underlying accounting records for some grant programs are maintained on the modified accrual basis of accounting. Under the modified accrual basis, revenues are recorded when susceptible to accrual, i.e., both measurable and available. Available means collectible within the current period or soon enough thereafter to be used to pay liabilities of the current period. Expenditures are recorded when the liability is incurred. The accounting records for other grant programs are maintained on the accrual basis, i.e., when the revenue has been earned and the liability is incurred. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City of Rhinelander has not elected to use the applicable de minimis indirect cost rate. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal and state award activity of the City of Rhinelander (City) under programs of the federal government for the year ended December 31, 2024. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) and the State Single Aduit Guidelines. Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the City of Rhinelander, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net position or cash flows of the City of Rhinelander. The reporting entity for the City of Rhinelander is based upon criteria established by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. The City is the primary government according to GASB criteria, while the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport is a component unit. Federal awards received directly by the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport are not included in this report since those awards have been audited by other auditors as part of the Oneida County audit and those amounts are reporting in a separate report.
Title: Pass-Through Agencies Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual or modified accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. Negative amounts shown on the Schedule represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. Pass-through entity identifying numbers are presented where available. The underlying accounting records for some grant programs are maintained on the modified accrual basis of accounting. Under the modified accrual basis, revenues are recorded when susceptible to accrual, i.e., both measurable and available. Available means collectible within the current period or soon enough thereafter to be used to pay liabilities of the current period. Expenditures are recorded when the liability is incurred. The accounting records for other grant programs are maintained on the accrual basis, i.e., when the revenue has been earned and the liability is incurred. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The City of Rhinelander has not elected to use the applicable de minimis indirect cost rate. WI DOT Wisconsin Department of Transportation WEC Wisconsin Elections Commission

Finding Details

Finding 2024-003
Finding 2024-003: Material Weakness - Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Federal Program: Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Assistance Listing Number: 10.760 Criteria: For federal awards after January 1, 2018, guidance provided in 2 CFR part 200.318 requires non-federal entities to establish and follow their own documented procurement procedures that conform to applicable federal law and standards. 2 CFR part 200.320 includes different allowable methods of procurement. There are also requirements to verify the vendors are not suspended or debarred. Condition/Context: During testing for this program, one of two vendors tested did not go through the appropriate procurement process. The vendor was directly awarded the project. The City did not have documentation of ensuring either of the vendors selected for testing were not suspended or debarred before entering in to covered transactions. The sample was not a statistically valid sample. Cause: The City has not historically bid out their engineering services and has used the same vendor for all projects. Due to turnover, the City did not have documentation of the search for suspension or debarment of the vendors. Effect: The City could potentially not have selected an appropriate vendor for the project or vendors could be used who are not eligible to be paid with federal funds. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendation: The City should ensure contracts are following the procurement process for selection of vendors for federally funded projects. Program personnel should become familiar with the procurement, suspension and debarment rules for federal programs and implement process changes for future projects and retain documentation of such verifications. Views of Responsible Officials: The City of Rhinelander has had turnover in the mayor, city administrator and public works director positions in recent years. The City will be reviewing its procurement policy to define clearer expectations for the administrative staff to follow.
Finding 2024-003
Finding 2024-003: Material Weakness - Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Federal Program: Water and Waste Disposal Systems for Rural Communities Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Assistance Listing Number: 10.760 Criteria: For federal awards after January 1, 2018, guidance provided in 2 CFR part 200.318 requires non-federal entities to establish and follow their own documented procurement procedures that conform to applicable federal law and standards. 2 CFR part 200.320 includes different allowable methods of procurement. There are also requirements to verify the vendors are not suspended or debarred. Condition/Context: During testing for this program, one of two vendors tested did not go through the appropriate procurement process. The vendor was directly awarded the project. The City did not have documentation of ensuring either of the vendors selected for testing were not suspended or debarred before entering in to covered transactions. The sample was not a statistically valid sample. Cause: The City has not historically bid out their engineering services and has used the same vendor for all projects. Due to turnover, the City did not have documentation of the search for suspension or debarment of the vendors. Effect: The City could potentially not have selected an appropriate vendor for the project or vendors could be used who are not eligible to be paid with federal funds. Questioned Costs: None noted. Recommendation: The City should ensure contracts are following the procurement process for selection of vendors for federally funded projects. Program personnel should become familiar with the procurement, suspension and debarment rules for federal programs and implement process changes for future projects and retain documentation of such verifications. Views of Responsible Officials: The City of Rhinelander has had turnover in the mayor, city administrator and public works director positions in recent years. The City will be reviewing its procurement policy to define clearer expectations for the administrative staff to follow.