Finding 36219 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-05-01
Audit: 25888
Organization: City of Meridian, Idaho (ID)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to report required subawards under FFATA due to a lack of process and personnel reassignment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a) and 2 CFR Part 170, which mandate effective internal controls and accurate reporting of federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen FFATA reporting processes, implement a documented review by a separate individual before submission, and maintain records of this review.

Finding Text

2022-001 Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Federal Financial Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Federal Program Name: CDBG ? Entitlements Grant Cluster Compliance Requirement: Reporting Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR Part 170 establishes requirements for recipients? reporting of information on subawards as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA). Condition: We noted that the City did not have a process to identify that FFATA reporting was required and did not report any information on subawards as required by FFATA. Cause: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there was redirecting of what personnel at the City was responsible for completing FFATA reporting and it got missed during the reassignment of responsibilities. Effect: Ineffective controls over this area of compliance could result in reports that are inaccurate, or incomplete being submitted to the federal agency. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: No reports were tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year(s): No Recommendation: We recommend that management strengthen their processes and procedures related to the submission of the required FFATA reports to ensure compliance with the program requirements. We also recommend that management establish documented review of the required FFATA reports by an individual other than the preparer prior to submission and retain record of the review and submission. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding. See separate corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding# 2022-001 Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Program Name: Community Development Black Grant/COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant ALN# 14.218 Finding Summary: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. 2 CFR Part 170 establishes requirements for recipients' reporting of information on subawards as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA). During the testing of the CDBG program, it was noted the City does not have a process in place to identify that FFATA reporting was required and did not report information on the subawards as required by FFATA. Responsible Individuals: Crystal Campbell, Community Development Program Coordinator. Corrective Action Plan: The City of Meridian has implemented the following changes to its internal control procedures to address finding # 2022-001 as listed above. Effective January 1, 2023, we have updated our Grant Management Software (Neighborly) to provide a monthly report that displays all New Subrecipient Agreements executed with a value of $30,000 that fall under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA). This monthly report will establish an effective control over the necessary reporting of subrecipient agreements executed over the value of $30,000. The monthly Neighborly report will be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Program Coordinator along with their supervisor on a monthly basis to make the City compliant for FFATA reporting requirements. The Community Development Program Coordinator will have also added to the internal quarterly review process to discuss any FFATA items being considered and reviewed. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Material Weakness Reporting Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 36220 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 612661 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 612662 2022-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $75,203
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $43,000
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $10,458
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $5,000
15.904 Historic Preservation Fund Grants-in-Aid $4,615