Condition: As of the March 31, 2024, reporting date, the Town reported project amounts voted by the Select Board as obligated rather than purchases, contracts and agreements that met the Federal criteria of an obligation.
Corrective Action Plan: Misinterpretation of Federal reporting requirements r...
Condition: As of the March 31, 2024, reporting date, the Town reported project amounts voted by the Select Board as obligated rather than purchases, contracts and agreements that met the Federal criteria of an obligation.
Corrective Action Plan: Misinterpretation of Federal reporting requirements regarding the definition of an obligation. Reliance on local budgetary approvals (Select Board votes) rather than federally defined contractual commitments. Lack of documented procedures for distinguishing between appropriations/votes and obligations in Federal reporting.
This was primarily due to the many changes by the US Treasury on ARPA Federal Reporting. The Select Board did obligate funds for the Town to hire a compliance accountant as an administrative service which is allowable under ARPA to ensure compliance. In addition, the Town hired a full-time grants coordinator to oversee the grants.
All future reports will reflect only qualifying obligations supported by contracts, purchase orders, or agreements.
Anticipated Completion Dates:
o Completed in 2025: Correction of prior misreporting and adoption of revised obligation reporting practice.
o By September 30, 2025: Grant Coordinator additional training and issuance of updated reporting checklist.
o Ongoing: Federal obligation reports prepared quarterly, reviewed by the Grant Coordinator prior to submission.
Quarterly compliance checks will be performed by the Grant Coordinator to confirm obligations are federally compliant.
Contact Information: Donna Cotterell, Grant Coordinator