Finding 1201237 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority lacked adequate internal controls, leading to improper reporting of eligible expenditures for the Federal Transit Cluster on the SEFA.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Part 200.303 and 2 CFR Part 200.305 regarding cash management and documentation for reimbursements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger internal controls and ensure timely reimbursement requests with proper documentation to avoid future discrepancies.

Finding Text

Finding Number: 2025‐001 Repeat Finding: No Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Federal Transit Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 20.507, 20.526 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation Pass‐Through Agency: N/A Questioned Costs: $1,148,672 Type of Finding: Material Weakness Compliance Requirement: Cash Management Criteria In accordance with 2CFR Part 200.303, the Authority is responsible for the establishing and maintaining 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 term and conditions of the Federal award. In addition, the Authority must comply with 2 CFR Part 200.305 and ensure support is maintained for the reimbursement of expenditures. Condition The Authority did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure eligible expenditures for the Federal Transit Cluster were reported on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). Cause The Authority was not requesting reimbursements in a timely manner resulting in expenditures from Federal sources not being recorded appropriately on the SEFA. Additionally, procedures were not followed to ensure reimbursement requests had appropriate documentation for associated expenditures. Effect The Authority did not ensure the grant expenditures were properly reported on the fiscal year 2024 SEFA, resulting in the need for the additional expenditures to be recognized on the SEFA. In addition, monies were drawn down for which there was not support for the reimbursement. Context For five of eleven reimbursement requests reviewed the Authority did not ensure that the grant expenditures were properly reported in the correct fiscal year on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Moreover, this resulted in fiscal year 2024 expenditures that were not appropriately recognized as federal expenses in the prior year totaling $1,487,236 that are now included in the current fiscal year SEFA. Additionally, For five of eleven reimbursement requests reviewed for the Federal Transit Cluster the requests were not reviewed and approved by a second, authorized person. Finally, the Authority did not retain documentation to support $1,148,672 of expenses requested for reimbursement in fiscal year 2025 from Federal Grants. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Number: 2025‐001 Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Federal Transit Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 20.507, 20.526 Contact Person: Megan Coons, Finance Director Anticipated Completion Date: March 31, 2026 Planned Corrective Action: The Authority has implemented a dual‐review process requiring preparation of reimbursement requests by staff and independent review and approval by a second authorized individual in a higher level management role. Reconciliations of reimbursement requests are to be completely monthly and will include detailed expenditure reports and grant agreement references to ensure requests match appropriately to Federal expenditures. Additionally, The Authority will implement mandatory training for all staff involved in grant management on Federal compliance requirements, documentation standards, and internal control procedures.

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1201236 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.526 BUSES AND BUS FACILITIES FORMULA, COMPETITIVE, AND LOW OR NO EMISSIONS PROGRAMS $13.91M
20.507 FEDERAL TRANSIT FORMULA GRANTS $9.11M