Finding 36662 (2022-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-26

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The School Board received $200,000 more in reimbursements than allowed for HVAC project costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: Claims for reimbursements must reflect actual costs incurred, as per federal guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review federal award terms before submitting reimbursement requests and return the excess funds to the Virginia Department of Education.

Finding Text

Department of Education 2022-02 Compliance Finding and Material Weakness 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund Criteria and Condition: Per the Office of Management and Budget Compliance Supplement and the Cost Principles for for State, Local, and Indian Tribe Governments, claims for reimbursements must be for actual costs incurred. Context: During a test of disbursements, we observed that an invoice was submitted for reimbursement to Virginia Department of Education under the Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) as well under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Support HVAC Replacement. Under the terms of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Support HVAC Replacement, there is a 100% local match required, which could be funded with ESSER funding. The School Board total HVAC project cost was $224,856 and the school board received reimbursement in the amount of $424,856 ($224,856 under ESSER and $200,000 under ARPA HVAC). Cause: The School Board received reimbursement for the HVAC project in excess of the allowable amount under conditions of the grants. Effect: Federal revenues and expenditures of federal awards exceeded the allowable amount by $200,000. Questioned Costs: Total allowable costs for the HVAC project were $224,856. Half of the project costs were eligible for funding under each program (ESSER and HVAC ARPA). Total grant reimbursement amounted to $424,856. Therefore, $200,000 is considered questioned costs. Recommendation: The School Board should thoroughly review the terms and conditions of federal awards before submitting reimbursement requests to ensure compliance with federal programs guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management will review terms and conditions of federal awards before submitting reimbursement requests to ensure compliance. The School Board will issue a check in the amount of $200,000 and return the excess funds to the Virginia Department of Education.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan The City of Buena Vista, Virginia respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2022. Name and address of independent public accounting firm: Robinson, Farmer, Cox Associates 10 Hedgerow Drive Staunton, VA 24401 Audit Period: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 The findings from the June 30, 2022 schedule of findings and questioned costs is discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the number assigned in the schedule. Financial Statement Findings 2022-001 Material Weakness Responsible Person, Title: Jason Tyree, City Manager; Charles Clemmer, Finance Director Audit Finding: The City's financial statements required several material adjusting entries by the Auditor to ensure such statements complied with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Auditor Recommendation: Management should review the current year adjusting entries and consider whether or not they apply during the next fiscal year. Anticipated Completion Date: 02-15-2023 City's Response: Concur Corrective Action Planned: Management will review current year adjusting entries and determine whether or not they apply during the next fiscal year. In addition, management will closely review financial statements so material adjusting entries by Auditor will not be necessary. Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs 2022-002 Material Weakness and Compliance Finding Responsible Person, Title: Dr. Francis, Superintendent; Denise Fitzgerald, Grant Coordinator; Sandra Mohler, Finance Audit Finding: During a test of disbursements, we observed that an invoice was submitted for reimbursement to Virginia Department of Education under the Education Stabilization Fund (ESSER) as well as under the Coronavirus Tate and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Support HVAC Replacement. Under the terms of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to Support HVAC Replacement, there is a 100% local match required, which could be funded with ESSER funding. The School Board's total HVAC project was $224,856 and the School Board received reimbursement in the amount of $424,856 ($224,856 under ESSER and $200,000 under ARPA HVAC). Auditor Recommendation: The School Board should thoroughly review the terms and conditions of federal awards before submitting reimbursement to ensure compliance with federal programs. Anticipated Completion Date: 02-15-2023 City's Response: Concur Corrective Action Planned: Amendments were completed in a timely manner with the advice and guidance from VDOE Directors- Lynn Sodat and Susan Dandridge. These amendments reflect the necessary changes for the BVCPS to be in compliance with both grants. Both have received final approval from VDOE. Moving Forward BVCPS will continue to review on an ongoing basis of all approved expenditures by Denise Fitzgerald and Sandra Mohler in order to maintain proper financial records for future audits and accountability to the VDOE guidelines. This information will be shared monthly with our Core Committee, which consists of the following SBO personnel: Dr. Miller, Dr. Francis, Denise Fitzgerald, Juli Gibson, Robin Williams, Sherrie Wheeler and Sandra Mohler. Any questions regarding this corrective action plan can be addressed by Charles Clemmer, City Finance Director at 540-261-8602.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 613104 2022-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $187,839
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $179,966
93.659 Adoption Assistance $126,216
10.555 National School Lunch Program $123,272
84.287 Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers $120,000
10.553 School Breakfast Program $67,191
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $49,492
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $41,567
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $25,002
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $22,577
93.658 Foster Care_title IV-E $20,159
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $19,760
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $19,137
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $16,147
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $12,327
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $11,000
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $7,500
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $6,459
93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families $2,755
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $2,642
66.466 Chesapeake Bay Program $2,260
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $1,035
10.614 Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with China $614
93.674 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood $250
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $39