Finding 20737 (2022-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
I
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-30
Audit: 21205
Organization: Town of Elkton, Maryland (MD)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Town failed to document compliance with procurement processes for purchases over $10,000, leading to a material weakness in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR sections 200.303, 200.318, and 200.319 regarding effective internal controls and procurement procedures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The Town should enhance its controls and procedures to ensure adherence to procurement policies for all program-related purchases.

Finding Text

Finding Number: 2022-004 Prior Year Finding: No Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Federal Program: COVID 19 ? Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Relief Fund Assistance Listing: 21.027 Pass-Through Entity: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Pass-Through Award Number and Period: (7/1/2021 ? 6/30/2022) Compliance Requirement: Procurement Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance, Material Noncompliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: Control: Per 2 CFR Section 200.303(a), a 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 comply 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: Compliance: Per 2 CFR section 200.318, a non-Federal entity must have and use documented procurement procedures, consistent with State, local, and tribal laws and regulations and the standards of this section, for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award or subaward. Per 2 CFR section 200.319, all procurement transactions for the acquisition of property or services required under a Federal award must be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition consistent with the standards of this section and ? 200.320. Per the Town?s purchasing policy, goods or services costing $10,000 or more must be purchased from the lowest responsive bidder meeting specifications after advertising for bids. Condition/Context: The Town was unable to provide documentation to support compliance with required procurement processes for goods or services over $10,000 for one vendor, including how the vendor was procured and whether there was full and open competition in the procurement process. Draft - March 29, 2023 Subject to Change TOWN OF ELKTON, MARYLAND SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (CONTINUED) JUNE 30, 2022 (14) Section III ? Findings and Questioned Costs ? Major Federal Programs (Continued) Questioned Costs: None noted. Cause: The Town?s internal controls were not sufficient to ensure that procurement policies were followed for purchases made for the program. Effect: Failure to adhere to procurement polices and procedures may result in obtaining goods or services under terms that are not in the best interest of the federal program. Recommendation: The Town should review and enhance controls and procedures to ensure that it follows procurement policy for all goods and services charged to the program. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding

Corrective Action Plan

U.S. Department of Treasury 2022-004 COVID-19 ? Coronavirus State and Local Relief Funds (CSLRF)? Assistance Listing No. 21.027 Recommendation: The Town should review and enhance controls and procedures to ensure that it follows procurement policy for all goods and services charged to the program. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Town's procurement policy will be reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with federal requriements. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Steven Repole Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 6/30/2023 If the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Recovery Programs has questions regarding this plan, please call Steven Repole at 410-398-4170.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 20738 2022-005
    Material Weakness
  • 20739 2022-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 597179 2022-004
    Material Weakness
  • 597180 2022-005
    Material Weakness
  • 597181 2022-006
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $762,728
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $80,186
93.499 Low Income Household Water Assistance Program $9,772
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $6,900
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $4,472
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $1,601