Finding 1155982 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-29
Audit: 368421
Organization: Borincana Foundation, Inc. (PR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Monthly progress reports for CDBG-DR were submitted late due to delays in PRDOH system approvals.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.328 and subrecipient agreements mandating timely report submissions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Keep records of report preparation dates and communicate with PRDOH to address systemic delays.

Finding Text

Agency: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Federal program: Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) ALN: 14.228 Compliance requirement: Reporting Category: Compliance / Internal Control over Compliance Questioned Costs: None Repeat finding: No Condition: Monthly progress reports required under the CDBG-DR program were not filed within the required deadline of the 5th day following the reporting month. Although management prepared the reports, submission to the PRDOH system was delayed until the prior month’s report was reviewed and approved. As a result, all reports were ultimately submitted late. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.328 and the subrecipient agreement requires subrecipients to submit performance and financial reports by the deadlines established by the awarding agency. PRDOH has established that monthly reports must be filed no later than the 5th day of the month following the reporting period. Cause: Management indicated that reports were completed on time but could not be filed until PRDOH cleared the previous month’s report. This dependency caused delays outside of the Organization’s direct control. Effect: The Organization was not in compliance with established reporting deadlines. While no questioned costs were identified, late submission reduces the timeliness of information available for monitoring and increases the risk of additional oversight or restrictions by PRDOH. Recommendation: We recommend that management maintain evidence that reports are prepared by the required due date, even if PRDOH system delays prevent immediate submission. Copies of completed reports and correspondence with PRDOH should be retained to demonstrate compliance efforts. Management should also formally communicate with PRDOH regarding systemic delays and seek clarification to minimize future reporting exceptions.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Program: Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) (ALN 14.228) Condition: Untimely submission of monthly progress reports. Planned Corrective Action: Management acknowledges the finding related to the timeliness of monthly report submissions. Although reports were prepared internally by the required due date, submission to the PRDOH reporting system was delayed pending review and approval of the prior month’s report by PRDOH . To strengthen compliance with reporting requirements, the Organization will implement the following corrective actions: • Internal documentation: Maintain dated copies of all monthly reports prepared by the 5th day following the reporting period to demonstrate timely preparation. • Communication with PRDOH: Retain written communications with PRDOH when reports cannot be submitted due to pending approvals, documenting the cause of delay. • Formal request: Submit a written request to PRDOH seeking clarification of reporting requirements and advocating for a process that permits timely submission regardless of system approval delays. • Monitoring: assign responsibility to the Finance and Compliance Officer to track reporting deadlines and ensure documentation of both preparation and submission efforts. Responsible Official: Thomas P. King Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing – procedures to be implemented beginning with reports due for October 2025.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Internal Control / Segregation of Duties HUD Housing Programs Reporting

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $527,398
10.868 Rural Energy for America Program $136,986
10.351 Rural Business Development Grant $127,750