Finding 3018 (2023-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-12-01
Audit: 4886
Organization: City of Escanaba (MI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to file required Program Progress Reports and Section 3 summary reports for the Community Development Block Grants.
  • Impacted Requirements: Reports were due starting January 17, 2022, and every six months thereafter, with a final report due within 120 days after the grant's expiration.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The City should establish strong internal controls to ensure timely filing of all required reports and address staffing needs to manage project requirements effectively.

Finding Text

2023-002 – Reporting Finding Type. Material Noncompliance/Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance (Reporting). Program. Community Development Block Grants/State's Program & Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; passed through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation; Assistance Listing Number 14.228; Award Number MSC 221002-WRI. Criteria. The City is required to file Program Progress Reports beginning January 17, 2022, and every six months thereafter. In addition, the City is required to file a final Program Progress Report within 120 days of the expiration of the grant. Additionally, the City is required to file Section 3 summary reports. Condition. The City has not filed any of the required reports as of June 30, 2023. Cause. The City did not have the proper internal controls in place to ensure that all required reports were filed in accordance with the requirements of the grant agreement. Effect. As a result of this condition, the City did not follow federal requirements in regards to filing required reports. Questioned Costs. No costs have been questioned as a result of this finding inasmuch as no disallowed costs were identified. Recommendation. We recommend that the City implement internal controls over reporting to ensure that all required reports are filed in a timely manner. View of Responsible Officials. The City does not have the necessary staffing to handle all of the requirements of large scale projects. As a result, the City hired an engineer and a certified grant administrator to manage many parts of this project and the reporting requirements are part of those duties. Unfortunately, the reports were not filed as required. Both parties are working to correct these mistakes.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-002 – Reporting Auditor Description of Condition and Effect. The City has not filed any of the required reports as of June 30, 2023. As a result of this condition, the City did not follow federal requirements in regards to filing required reports. Auditor Recommendation. We recommend that the City implement internal controls over reporting to ensure that all required reports are filed in a timely manner. Corrective Action. The City has requested that all reports be sent to the Controller as well as the required agency. We have created a checklist to make sure the reports are submitted in a timely manner. Responsible Person. Melissa Becotte, Controller Anticipated Completion Date: Immediately

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 579460 2023-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $1.78M
66.458 Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds $960,188
45.310 Grants to States $143,086
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $22,727
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $20,253
97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant $10,315
16.710 Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants $9,465
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $5,800