Finding 1154922 (2024-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-24
Audit: 367241
Organization: City of Owatonna (MN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City lacks an official procurement policy to ensure vendors are not federally suspended or debarred before payment.
  • Impacted Requirements: This deficiency violates the Uniform Grant Guidance, which mandates controls for vendor eligibility.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The City should adopt a compliant Procurement Policy to address this significant deficiency.

Finding Text

Lack of Procurement Policy – Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Title: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: December 31, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: The City is required to have controls in place to ensure vendors are not federally suspended or debarred prior to payment. Condition: There is a lack of an official procurement, suspension and debarment policy as required by Uniform Grant Guidance. Questioned Costs: None Context: During testing, it was noted that the City does not have a Uniform Grant Guidance Procurement Policy designating controls of procurement, suspension & debarment procedures. Cause: Oversight Effect: There is potential for vendors to be paid with federal dollars without receiving proper approval or while being federally suspended. Repeat Finding: Yes, See Finding 2023-002. Recommendation: We recommend the City adopt a Procurement Policy in line with Uniform Grant Guidance. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Lack of Procurement Policy – Procurement, Suspension and Debarment Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program Title: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: December 31, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance Recommendation: We recommend the City adopt a procurement policy that includes procedures over suspension and debarment. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action Taken in Response to Finding: The City will prepare a policy and have it adopted by the City Council. Name of the Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Emily Burns, Finance Manager Planned Completion Date for Corrective Action Plan: December 31, 2025.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.22M
66.458 Clean Water State Revolving Fund $474,385
20.106 Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and Covid-19 Airports Programs $213,571
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $176,455
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $2,112