Finding 1208179 (2022-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2026-04-17
Audit: 399031
Organization: County of Aroostook (ME)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County lacks a dedicated subrecipient monitoring policy, leading to non-compliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Missing Federal Award Identification numbers, no debarment checks, and inadequate monitoring of subrecipients.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Develop a specific subrecipient monitoring policy and ensure compliance checks are performed for all subrecipients.

Finding Text

2022-002 - Subrecipient Monitoring Federal Program Information: CFDA - 21.027 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Criteria: The following CFR(s) apply to this finding: 2 CFR 200.214 is the requirement of a Debarment and Suspension Search on subrecipients and 2 CFR 200.332(a) which includes what must be included in the subaward agreements and monitoring requirements. Condition: During audit procedures, it was identified that the County’s uses the ARPA program statement for the subrecipient monitoring policy and procedure and does not have a separate subrecipient policy and procedure, which has not been an effective method. The subawards did not include the required Federal Award Identification number, Assistance Listing Number, no mention of the approved indirect cost rate. The subrecipient monitoring documentation did not provide any indication of review of the financial reports, whether or not there were any deficiencies, corrective actions if needed, management letter comments/finding if needed, and no verification as to whether the subrecipient would need a single audit. Cause: The County does not have the necessary internal controls over subrecipient monitoring compliance requirements. The lack of experience and knowledge of the program may be a key factor in the lack of internal controls. Effect: As a pass-through entity the County is not providing the necessary federal identification information, nor is it properly monitoring the subrecipients for the required compliance requirements of the program. This increases the likelihood of ineligible subrecipients that are on the Debarment and Suspension list to receive federal funds and the likelihood of misuse of federal funds and noncompliance with the requirements of the program. Increasing the likelihood of loss of funding and inability to receive future funding. Identification of Questioned Costs: Identified Subrecipient award Payments totaled $264,943.38. For which no Debarment or Suspension search was done, none of the monitoring requirements appeared to be performed on any of the subrecipients tested and one subrecipient did not go thru the application process for proper vetting. Context: All Five of the Seven Subrecipients receiving funding during FY22 were reviewed. None of the Five were searched in SAM.gov for Debarment and Suspension. 1 was approved without applying for the funds, none were properly monitored for compliance requirements. All Five subawards were missing the Federal Award Identification Number, ALN, indirect cost rate. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: It is recommended that the County write their own policy and procedure for subrecipient monitoring and implement a process to include a debarment and suspension search for all subrecipients on sam.gov to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Please see the Corrective Action Plan issued by the County of Aroostook, Maine.

Corrective Action Plan

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN (Concerning Finding 2022-002) Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Dana L. Gendreau, Interim County Administrator Corrective Action: The County of Aroostook has initiated corrective action to address Finding 2022-002. Subsequent to the audit period and notification of the finding on January 15, 2026, the County developed a formal Subrecipient Monitoring Policy intended to ensure compliance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.214 and 2 CFR 200.332. The policy establishes procedures for subrecipient versus contractor determination, required subaward agreement elements, Debarment and Suspension verification, risk assessment, ongoing monitoring activities, Single Audit determination and follow-up, and enforcement of corrective actions. The policy is scheduled to be presented for formal adoption at the next available County Commissioner meeting on February 18, 2026. Upon adoption and implementation, these measures are expected to strengthen internal controls over subrecipient monitoring and reduce the risk of future noncompliance with federal award requirements. Anticipated Completion Date: February 18, 2026

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1208178 2022-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $1.08M
16.710 PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY POLICING GRANTS $128,591
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $121,405
16.575 CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE $50,291
16.034 CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING PROGRAM $42,540
97.067 HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM $35,198
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $24,332
20.703 INTERAGENCY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PUBLIC SECTOR TRAINING AND PLANNING GRANTS $5,062
16.607 BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM $2,728
20.600 STATE AND COMMUNITY HIGHWAY SAFETY $516
16.738 EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM $436