CONTACT PERSON: A. Nicole Verner, Finance Director, averner@cityoflakecity.org CORRECTIVE ACTION: The City acknowledges the finding related to expenditures not being approved prior to disbursement for federally funded programs. Management recognizes that staffing changes contributed to insufficient oversight and monitoring of grant-related expenditures. To address this finding, the City is implementing strengthened internal controls over grant expenditures to ensure that all costs are properly reviewed and approved prior to payment. The City will require that all expenditures charged to grant funds, including Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, receive documented pre-approval from appropriate management personnel prior to disbursement. This approval will confirm that the expenditure is allowable, properly classified, and consistent with the purpose of the grant. A standardized grant expenditure approval form or checklist will be implemented to document the review process. This documentation will be maintained with the supporting records for each transaction. The City will establish a segregation of duties within the grant management process so that no single individual is responsible for initiating, approving, and processing grant-related disbursements. In addition, a secondary review process will be implemented for all grant expenditures to ensure compliance with federal requirements and City policies. The City will also maintain detailed records of all grant expenditures and perform periodic internal reviews to ensure compliance with applicable guidelines, even when funds are used under the revenue loss provision. Training will be provided to staff responsible for grant administration and financial processing to ensure a clear understanding of allowable costs, approval requirements, and documentation standards. Management will monitor compliance with these procedures on an ongoing basis and take corrective action if any deficiencies are identified. PROPOSED COMPLETION DATE: June 30, 2027