Finding 1214336 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-05-11
Audit: 401012
Organization: Town of Limestone, Maine (ME)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School failed to include required clauses in contracts for construction projects over $2,000, violating federal Wage Rate Requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR Appendix II to Part 200 and 29 CFR 5.2 and 5.5 due to lack of certified payrolls and Statements of Compliance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The School should enhance internal controls and ensure familiarity with federal Wage Rate Requirements to prevent future compliance issues.

Finding Text

MATERIAL WEAKNESSES 2024-001 - Special Tests and Provisions - Wage Rate Requirement Federal Program Information: Department of Education ALN 84.425 – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Criteria: The following CFRs apply to this finding: 2 CFR Appendix II to Part 200; 29 CFR 5.2; 29 CFR 5.5 Condition: During audit procedures, it was identified that the School had construction projects in excess of $2,000 and did not have contracts with the required clauses for these projects. Additionally, it was identified that the School did not obtain copies of the required certified payrolls and accompanying Statement of Compliance. Cause: The School did not appropriately identify construction projects expensed to the grant and therefore does not have the necessary internal controls over compliance. Effect: The construction projects may not have been performed in compliance with federal Wage Rate Requirements Identification of Questioned Costs: Payments for the identified construction projects totalled $46,653.19 all of which was performed without contracts containing the required clauses. Related certified payrolls and accompanying Statement of Compliance were not obtained for any of the payments sampled. Context: Two construction projects were identified by auditors in the sample of expenses reviewed for the grant, none of which had contracts with the required clauses. There were $46,653.19 in payments made for these construction projects, which did not have the related certified payrolls and accompanying Statement of Compliance. This was not a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: It is recommended that the School familiarize themselves with federal Wage Rate Requirements and implement internal control processes and procedures to ensure that they are following the criteria above. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: Please see the Corrective Action Plan issued by the Limestone Community School.

Corrective Action Plan

Concerning Finding 2024-001-Wage Requirements Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: William Dobbins, Superintendent Corrective Action: The Limestone Public School will take the following actions to address finding 2024-001: The school will strengthen internal controls over federally funded construction projects to ensure compliance with federal wage requirements. Specifically, the School will: 1. Implement procedures to property identify construction projects charged to federal grants prior to payment approval. 2. Update procurement and contract review processes to ensure that all construction contracts exceeding $2000.00 include required federal wage rate clauses in accordance with 2 CFR Appendix II to Part 200 and 29 CFR Parts 5.2 and 5.5. 3. Require contractors performing construction work funded by federal awards to submit certified payrolls and accompanying Statements of Compliance before payments are processed. 4. Maintain documentation of certified payrolls and Statements of Compliance in accordance with federal record retention requirements. 5. Provide training to applicable administrative and finance staff on federal wage rate requirements related to construction projects funded by federal awards. Anticipated Completion Date: February 2, 2026

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214335 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214337 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214338 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214339 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $197,780
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $129,048
93.434 EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT/PRESCHOOL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS $90,021
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $76,853
10.555 NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $72,436
10.553 SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM $40,264
84.173 SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL GRANTS $25,431
84.298 STATE GRANTS FOR INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS $11,268
10.582 FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM $7,576
84.010 TITLE I GRANTS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES $3,808
10.649 PANDEMIC EBT ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS $653