Finding: 2024-002
Name of Contact Person: Michael Coone, Assistant Social Services Director
Criteria: In accordance with 20 CFR 681.590, local youth programs must expend not less
than 20 percent of the funds allocated to them, except for the local area expenditures for
administration, to provide pai...
Finding: 2024-002
Name of Contact Person: Michael Coone, Assistant Social Services Director
Criteria: In accordance with 20 CFR 681.590, local youth programs must expend not less
than 20 percent of the funds allocated to them, except for the local area expenditures for
administration, to provide paid and unpaid work experiences.
Recommendation: Require the County Program Directors to implement procedures to
ensure that earmarking requirements are met.
Corrective Action/Management’s Response: Management concurs with this
finding and will adhere to the Corrective Action Plan in this audit report. The County has
implemented the following process:
Gaston County Workforce Development Board staff worked closely with the
previous Youth service provider requesting them to assign 100% of their WEX
specialist salary towards work-based learning expenses to obtain this goal. With a
new service provider, Two Hawk Employment Services, their financial staff have
budgeted 20% of all WEX related activities, salaries, staff costs, participant costs,
etc. to meet the 20% goal. Gaston County WDB and Two Hawk Employment
Services have adjusted staff day sheet logs to reflect 20% of staff activities to ensure
all staff are assigning the work appropriately.
The Gaston County Workforce Development Board mandated in the service
provider Youth contract to meet the 20% WEX Expenditure and future contract
awards are determined on successfully meeting the expenditure requirement. Per
the state’s most recent Youth Expenditure Report at the end of October 2024, Gaston
County Workforce Development Board is 76% towards meeting the goal.
The Workforce Development Board staff and management will continue to monitor
monthly that 20% of all salaries and WEX activities are accurately reflected on all
invoices and financials from Two Hawk Employment Services.
Proposed Completion Date: Management and the Board will implement the above
procedures immediately with a completion date of June 30, 2025.