Finding 1239701 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-10-01

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: NFCAA failed to maintain the required tripartite board composition, with public and low-income representation below the one-third threshold.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Community Services Block Grant Act mandates specific board representation, and vacancies exceeding 90 days were not addressed.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Improve monitoring procedures for board composition and expedite the filling of vacancies to ensure compliance with representation requirements.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 Community Services Block Grant - Tripartite Board Composition Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Entity: Florida Department of Commerce Assistance Listing: 93.569 - Community Services Block Grant Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions Classification: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Noncompliance Questioned Costs: None Criteria The Community Services Block Grant Act requires nonprofit eligible entities to administer CSBG through a tripartite board consisting of one-third public representatives or qualifying designees, not fewer than one-third representatives of low-income individuals and families selected through an appropriate democratic selection process, with the remaining members representing major groups and interests in the community served. The 2025 Compliance Supplement provides that when vacancies reduce public or low-income representation below the required threshold and remain vacant longer than the period permitted by the state, the auditor should report a finding. Condition During the year ended September 30, 2025, NFCAA did not maintain the required tripartite board composition. The August 2025 Board of Directors roster listed 16 members: four public-sector representatives, five low-income representatives, and seven private-sector representatives. Accordingly, public-sector representation was 25% and low-income representation was 31.25%, both below the required one-third threshold. Certain public-sector vacancies remained unfilled for more than 90 days, exceeding the assumed 90-day period permitted by the Florida Department of Commerce. Cause NFCAA experienced difficulty obtaining and timely seating qualified representatives, particularly public-sector representatives. In addition, procedures for monitoring board composition and vacancy duration were not sufficiently effective to ensure that required representation was restored within the period permitted by the Florida Department of Commerce. Effect NFCAA did not maintain the required tripartite board representation during a portion of the audit period. Inadequate monitoring of board composition increases the risk that vacancies will cause required public-sector or low-income representation to remain below statutory thresholds beyond the period permitted by the pass-through entity.

Corrective Action Plan

Northeast Florida Community Action Agency, Inc. agrees with the findings. Our organization will take action to correct the composition of the tripartite board by appointing the required representatives as soon as possible. The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the agency remains in compliance. Moving forward, the Executive Director will review the board composition quarterly to ensure that all vacant positions are filled. This will help maintain the integrity of the agency’s Board of Directors at all times.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Special Tests & Provisions Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.568 LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE $7.18M
93.569 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $2.44M
81.042 WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS $1.20M