Finding 1239912 (2025-007)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-10-05
Audit: 414585
Organization: City of Muskegon Heights (MI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to verify that vendors receiving over $25,000 in federal funds were not suspended or debarred.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations requiring checks on vendor eligibility for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure verification of vendor status and maintain documentation for all relevant transactions over $25,000.

Finding Text

2025-007 – Procurement, Suspension and Debarment (Repeat Finding) Finding Type. Immaterial Noncompliance/Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance (Procurement, Suspension and Debarment). Program. Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds; U.S. Department of Treasury; ALN 21.027; Award Numbers DW-7731A, DW-7640A, and DW-7686A. Criteria. A recipient of federal awards is required to determine that vendors being paid with federal funds are not suspended or debarred from doing business with the City. Such procedures are required whenever the amount disbursed to a single vendor in a given year is expected to be at least $25,000. Condition. The City did not verify that any of their vendors with purchases over $25,000 were not suspended or debarred from doing business with the City, or did not retain documentation to evidence that this verification had taken place. Cause. This condition was caused by management oversight in knowing the federal compliance requirements of the grant. Effect. As a result of this condition, the City was exposed to the risk that disbursements of federal awards would be made to vendors suspended or debarred by the federal government. Questioned Costs. No costs have been questioned as a result of this finding, inasmuch as no suspended or debarred transactions were noted. Recommendation. We recommend that the City verify that all of their vendors over $25,000 spent with federal funds were not suspended or debarred, and retain documentation to this verification. View of Responsible Officials. The City agrees with the audit finding. A corrective action plan has been prepared.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-007 – Procurement, Suspension and Debarment (Repeat Finding) Auditor Description of Condition and Effect. The City did not verify that any of their vendors with purchases over $25,000 were not suspended or debarred from doing business with the City, or did not retain documentation to evidence that this verification had taken place. As a result of this condition, the City was exposed to the risk that disbursements of federal awards would be made to vendors suspended or debarred by the federal government. Auditor Recommendation. We recommend that the City verify that all of their vendors over $25,000 spent with federal funds were not suspended or debarred, and retain documentation to support this verification. Corrective Action. The City will maintain a schedule of dates checked for debarment. Responsible Person. Finance Director Anticipated Completion Date. December 31, 2026

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1239910 2025-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1239911 2025-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1239913 2025-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1239914 2025-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1239915 2025-008
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $7.08M
14.218 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS/ENTITLEMENT GRANTS $204,711
66.468 DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND $171,976