Finding Text
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY; CRITERIA: 2 CFR §200.302(b)(5) requires non‑Federal entities to have written procedures to implement effective control over and accountability for all funds, including budgeting and financial management practices that allow the entity to relate financial results to project performance.; CONDITION: For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025 the Town did not prepare or maintain project-level budgets for emergency response and recovery activities. ; EFFECT: Without project budgets, The Town lacks assurance that FEMA funds are spent in accordance with approved scopes of work and allowable cost principles under 2 CFR §200.403 and is unable to demonstrate effective financial oversight or compare actual expenditures to planned costs. This increases the risk of cost overruns, questioned costs, or ineligible expenditures, which may lead to FEMA deobligating funds or requiring repayment.; CAUSE: The Town did not have established internal processes requiring the development of project‑specific budgets for emergency FEMA awards. During the emergency response period, Town staff focused on operational activities, and no designated personnel were assigned responsibility for creating or monitoring project budgets.; RECOMMENDATION: The Town should implement written procedures requiring project‑specific budgets for all Federal awards, including FEMA emergency funding. The Town should also provide staff training to ensure personnel understand Federal grant budgeting requirements and are capable of preparing and maintaining compliant documentation.; VIEWS OF RESPONSIBLE OFFICIALS AND PLANNED CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: The Town of Spruce Pine agrees with this finding. Finance procedures will be updated to include project-level budgeting and recommended training for staff.