Finding 1168589 (2025-006)

Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 10.557, United States Department of Agriculture, WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Federal Award Identification Number and Year - E20240675 00 and E20241960 00 2024 Pass through Entity - Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - No Criteria - 2 CFR 200 Appendix V.4 requires that each central service cost allocation plan be accompanied by a certification, which includes the period to which the accumulated costs under the plan are allocated. 2 CFR 200.303(a) requires nonfederal entities to establish and maintain effective internal controls over federal awards, providing reasonable assurance of compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and award terms. These controls should align with the "Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government" or the COSO framework. Condition - The City applied indirect costs to the programs in a manner that did not align with the allocation methodology outlined in the 2022-2023 cost allocation plan submitted to MDHHS. Furthermore, the plan lacked explicit certification and contained minor errors and omissions. Questioned Costs - None If Questioned Costs are Not Determinable, Description of Why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could Not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - The City prepares an annual cost allocation plan as required by 2 CFR 200, Appendix V. During testing, we noted that the City charged indirect costs to ensure the amount did not exceed the budgeted indirect cost amount. However, under the methodology submitted with the plan, indirect costs should have been allocated based on the program’s total direct costs. Although total direct costs were below the budgeted amount, indirect costs were applied without consideration of this methodology. Additionally, the plan lacked evidence of certification and did not accurately specify the allocation period. Following identification of these matters, the City obtained approval from MDHHS permitting indirect costs to be charged without regard to total direct costs and acknowledging oversights in the plan, including the failure to clearly identify the applicable allocation period. Based on MDHHS’ approval, the additional indirect costs charged, though not proportional to total direct costs, did not result in questioned costs. Cause and Effect - The City’s internal controls were not sufficient to ensure that the required certification was performed or to detect the inconsistent application of the indirect cost allocation methodology. This control weakness increases the risk of noncompliance and may result in excessive indirect costs being charged to the program. Recommendation - We recommend that the City conduct a comprehensive review of its indirect cost allocation methodology, incorporating feedback provided by the funder, to ensure consistency between the cost allocation plan and its application. Additionally, the City should design and implement internal controls to verify that indirect costs are applied in accordance with the approved methodology and allocation period. We further recommend that all personnel involved in the preparation, submission, and application of indirect costs receive training on the revised methodology and related controls to prevent future inconsistencies and reduce the risk of noncompliance. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - Upon identification, the City worked with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and obtained approval and acceptance of the indirect cost calculation. The City will continue to work with MDHHS to ensure full compliance. The City has initiated a review of its indirect cost allocation methodology to ensure compliance. Management is updating the cost allocation calculation to document the approved allocation method and ensure the method is in accordance with the approved plan. The City will also provide training to staff involved in the preparation, submission, and calculation of the indirect costs to ensure understanding requirements.