Finding 1214683 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-05-14
Audit: 401408
Organization: City of Texas City, Texas (TX)
Auditor: WHITLEY PENN LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to submit the required CDBG PR28 Performance and Evaluation Report on time for two consecutive years, indicating a significant internal control weakness.
  • Impacted Requirements: Timely submission of the PR28 is essential for compliance with HUD regulations, affecting the overall performance evaluation and funding processes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish clear procedures and responsibilities for PR28 reporting, implement a compliance calendar, and provide staff training to ensure timely submissions in the future.

Finding Text

CDBG Performance Reporting Type of Finding Material Weakness - Internal Control Over Compliance Material Noncompliance - Material to the Major Program New or Repeat Finding New Federal Program(s) Community Development Block Grant/State's Program (ALN 14.228) Federal Agency U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pass-through Entity and Identifying Numbers Texas General Land Office (22-119-003-D373, 22-085-017-D253) Compliance Requirement(s) L. Reporting Criteria The City is required to submit the CDBG PR28 Performance and Evaluation Report (PER) to HUD through the Integrated Disbursement and Information System (IDIS). The PR28 must also be attached to the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). HUD requires the PR28 and related attachments to be submitted by deadlines established in CPD Notice 21 11. Timely submission is a direct and material compliance requirement for the CDBG State Program. Condition The City did not prepare or submit the required PR28 Performance and Evaluation Report (PER) for open CDBG State Program grants for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Because the PR28 is required to be submitted as an attachment to the CAPER, failure to complete the PR28 resulted in the CAPER submission also being incomplete and untimely. The PR28 and CAPER were required to be submitted by December 31, 2024, and were not submitted until November 20, 2025. This is the second consecutive year in which the City failed to submit required HUD reports by the established deadline. The recurrence of the issue demonstrates that internal controls were not implemented, not operating effectively, and not sufficient to ensure timely PR28 reporting. Cause The City did not have sufficiently formalized internal controls or a centralized compliance calendar to ensure timely PR28 preparation and submission. Responsibilities for PR28 reporting were not clearly assigned and staff were not fully trained on PR28 requirements. Effect or Potential Effect Noncompliance with HUD PR28 reporting requirements, resulting in incomplete and untimely submission of federally required performance information. Untimely or missing PR28 reports limit HUD’s ability to evaluate program performance, assess expenditure activity, and monitor compliance with program objectives, and may result in delayed reimbursements or additional oversight. Given the recurrence of the issue, the lack of effective corrective actions, and the significance of the PR28 reporting requirement, there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with the major program would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, this condition represents a material weakness in internal control and material noncompliance. Questioned Costs None Context During the audit period, the City continued to experience resource constraints within its finance and grants management functions. These conditions contributed to delays in compiling the information needed to complete the PR28 report. Because the PR28 was not completed, the CAPER package was also incomplete and submitted well after HUD deadlines. A similar issue was reported in the fiscal year 2023 single audit report dated May 15, 2024, and although the City developed a corrective action plan, the fiscal year 2024 PR28 report was not submitted timely. The recurrence of this issue indicates that the City’s reporting controls were not operating as intended. Recommendation Establish written procedures for preparing and submitting the PR28, designate personnel responsible for completing required HUD reporting, and implement a compliance calendar to track reporting deadlines. Provide training on PR28 requirements and implement review procedures to ensure the PR28 and supporting attachments are completed and submitted on time. Views of Responsible Officials City officials agree with the finding. The City will enhance internal controls over HUD reporting, designate personnel responsible for PR28 preparation, and cross train staff to provide additional coverage. Management is developing written procedures and providing training on PR28 requirements to improve reporting accuracy and timeliness.

Corrective Action Plan

CDBG Performance Reporting (ALN 14.228) Condition The PR28 and CAPER reports were submitted 11 months late. This is a repeat finding and resulted from insufficient controls and inadequate staff training. Corrective Action Plan To ensure timely and compliant reporting, the following actions will be taken: • Developing written procedures for PR28 and CAPER preparation and submission. • Implementing a compliance calendar with required reporting deadlines. • Assigning both primary and secondary preparers to ensure redundancy. • Providing HUD IDIS training to relevant staff. • Conducting supervisory review prior to submission. • Hired a Grants Compliance Specialist to support ongoing compliance.(10/2025) Responsible Staff Grants Administrator Target Completion Date August 31, 2026

Categories

Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Subrecipient Monitoring Cash Management HUD Housing Programs Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1214673 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214674 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214675 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214676 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214677 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214678 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214679 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214680 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214681 2024-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214682 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214684 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1214685 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/STATE'S PROGRAM AND NON-ENTITLEMENT GRANTS IN HAWAII $4.70M
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $767,427
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $154,057
20.600 STATE AND COMMUNITY HIGHWAY SAFETY $36,604
45.310 GRANTS TO STATES $15,241