Finding 1241618 (2024-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-11-04

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County failed to submit three quarterly reports on time and had discrepancies in reported expenditures compared to its ledgers.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with federal grant guidelines due to inadequate internal controls and reporting processes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a system to ensure timely and accurate reporting, and submit reports at least 10 days before the due date to avoid connectivity issues.

Finding Text

PASS-THROUGH GRANTOR: Direct Grant FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.027 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Reporting QUESTIONED COSTS: $-0- Condition: During the test of 100% quarterly reports, we noted the following: . Three quarterly reports were not submitted by the required due date. . Variances between expenditures reported on quarterly reports and the County’s ledgers: o The 1st quarter was understated by ($7,046). o The 2nd quarter was overstated by $41,250. o The 3rd quarter was understated by ($25,562). o The 4th quarter was overstated by $31,896. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure federal expenditures are properly reported in accordance with federal compliance requirements. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in noncompliance with federal grant guidelines. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County comply with federal laws and regulations and grant agreements by submitting required reports to the U.S. Department of Treasury timely. In addition, OSAI recommends the County design and implement a system of internal controls to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information submitted. Management Response: BOCC Chairman and County Clerk: The Clerk has, on occasion, had issues accessing the system on the last day due to heavy traffic, causing reports to be submitted late. Going forward, reports will be accurately compiled and submitted at least 10 days prior to the report due date to avoid issues with connectivity. Criteria: GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.23 states in part: Objectives of an Entity – Compliance Objectives Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements. Title 2 CFR § 200.303(a) Internal Controls, reads as follows: The non-federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework, “issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Compliance and Reporting Guidance, State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (10. Reporting) reads as follows: All recipients of federal funds must complete financial, performance, and compliance reporting as required and outlines in Part 2 of this guidance. Expenditures may be reported on a cash of accrual basis, as long as the methodology is disclosed and consistently applied. Reporting must be consistent with the definition of expenditures pursuant to 2 CFR 200.1. Your organization should appropriately maintain accounting records for compiling and reporting accurate, compliant financial data, in accordance with appropriate accounting standards and principles. In addition, where appropriate, your organization needs to establish internal controls to ensure completion and timely submission of all mandatory performance and/or compliance reporting. Further, 2 CFR 200.329-Monitoring and reporting program performance (c)(1) reads as follows: The non-Federal entity must submit performance reports at the interval required by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Intervals must be no less frequent than annually nor more frequent than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes. Reports submitted annually by the non-Federal entity and/or pass-through entity must be due no later than 90 calendar days after the reporting period. Reports submitted quarterly or semiannually must be due no later than 30 calendar days after the reporting period. Alternatively, the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may require annual reports

Corrective Action Plan

The Clerk has. on occasion. had issues accessing the system on the last day due to heavy traffic, causing reports to be submified late. Going forward, reports will be accurately compiled and submitted at least l0 days prior to the report due date to avoid issues with connectivity.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1241616 2024-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1241617 2024-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $1.50M
16.589 RURAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND STALKING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $188,930
15.226 PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF TAXES $158,853
20.615 E-911 GRANT PROGRAM $53,039
12.106 FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS $44,949
20.600 STATE AND COMMUNITY HIGHWAY SAFETY $35,055
97.042 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS $28,145
21.032 LOCAL ASSISTANCE AND TRIBAL CONSISTENCY FUND $0