Corrective Action Plan – Finding 2024-002 – Reporting Town of Van Buren – CFDA 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Audit Period: Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 Views of Responsible Officials: The Town of Van Buren acknowledges the auditor’s finding regarding the lack of docum...
Corrective Action Plan – Finding 2024-002 – Reporting Town of Van Buren – CFDA 21.027 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Audit Period: Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 Views of Responsible Officials: The Town of Van Buren acknowledges the auditor’s finding regarding the lack of documentation for quarterly performance reports required under 2 CFR 200.329. However, it is important to clarify that, during the grant period, the Town communicated with Efficiency Maine Trust regarding these expectations. Efficiency Maine Trust, as the pass-through entity, confirmed that such federal performance reporting was not required to be submitted back to them by the Town as part of their grant process. Additionally, upon review of the contract provided to the Town, it was noted that the Town was inaccurately listed as a "co-recipient" of the SLFRF (State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds). After multiple discussions with representatives from the U.S. Department of the Treasury – SLFRF team, it was confirmed that this designation was erroneous. The Town of Van Buren was not a co-recipient but rather a beneficiary of the ARPA funds administered by Efficiency Maine Trust. As a beneficiary, the Town was not responsible for direct federal reporting to Treasury, and this misclassification contributed to the confusion regarding reporting responsibilities. Corrective Action Plan: To prevent similar issues in the future and ensure full compliance with all federal award terms and conditions, the Town will implement the following measures: 1. Clarification of Role: All future grant agreements will be reviewed to confirm whether the Town is operating as a recipient, subrecipient, or beneficiary, and appropriate obligations will be documented. 2. Federal Reporting Procedures: For grants that include federal reporting obligations, the Town will establish an internal checklist outlining the specific reporting requirements and due dates upon award acceptance. 3. Training and Compliance: Staff responsible for grant administration will receive annual training on 2 CFR Part 200 requirements, including those relating to reporting and roles under federal awards. 4. Documentation and Recordkeeping: All communications with pass-through entities and federal agencies relating to grant requirements will be documented and retained as part of the grant file. By implementing these internal control enhancements, the Town aims to prevent future findings and ensure clarity in grant compliance responsibilities.