Finding 1168832 (2024-010)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-01-12
Audit: 381038
Organization: City of Banning (CA)
Auditor: EIDE BAILLY LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to obtain proper Council approval for charging arrearage expenditures to the ARPA Program, indicating a lack of effective internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR Section 200.303(a) regarding internal controls over Federal awards was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement internal controls to ensure all costs are reviewed and approved before being charged to the program.

Finding Text

2024-010 Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds passed-through the State Water Resources Control Board Federal Financial Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Treasury Award No. and Year: A00059, 2024 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Criteria: 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), Internal Controls, states that the non-Federal entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Condition: During testing of the City’s compliance with activities allowed or unallowed and allowable costs/cost principles requirements, it was noted that the City did not obtain proper Council approval to charge the overall arrearage expenditures to the ARPA Program. Cause: The City did not have internal controls in place to ensure that the expenditures charged to the ARPA Program were properly approved. Effect: The City charged arrearage expenditures for reimbursement that had not been previously reviewed or approved by Council. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: A nonstatistical sample of 23 transactions out of 98 total transactions were selected for testing, which accounted for $2,474,044 of $3,095,657 federal program expenditures. The error applied to 1 transaction and totaled $413,431. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend the City implement internal controls to ensure all costs charged to the program are properly reviewed and approved prior to being charged to the program. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. See separate corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-010 Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds passed-through the State Water Resources Control Board Federal Financial Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of Treasury Award No. and Year: A00059, 2024 Finding Summary: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Corrective Action Plan: Prior to the 2024 audit process being completed, the city experienced significant staff turnover particularly in the Finance Department. The city is in the process of recruiting various key positions including Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and Accounting Supervisor. This will ensure all proper processes are followed. Responsible Individual(s): Finance Director (short-term part-time staff); Deputy Finance Director (Vacant); Purchasing Manager (Vacant) Anticipated Completion Date: January 2026

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1168830 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168831 2024-009
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $496,530
93.499 LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD WATER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $43,016
20.205 HIGHWAY PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION $42,666
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $20,246
20.608 MINIMUM PENALTIES FOR REPEAT OFFENDERS FOR DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED $13,937
16.738 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM $8,991
20.600 STATE AND COMMUNITY HIGHWAY SAFETY $6,968
15.507 WATERSMART (SUSTAIN AND MANAGE AMERICA’S RESOURCES FOR TOMORROW) $11