Finding 38254 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-27

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District reported COVID-19 expenses that were already reimbursed through other funding sources, totaling $762,548.
  • Impacted Requirements: Expenditures must not be submitted for reimbursement from multiple sources, violating cost principles outlined in federal laws.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Update policies and procedures to prevent double dipping in federal grant reporting.

Finding Text

COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Assistance Listing Number 21.027 U.S. Department of Treasury Pass-Through Entity - City of Odessa, TX Criteria ? Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles (Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 563 and Pub. L. No. 116-139, 134 Stat. 622 and 623). Condition ? The District reported COVID-19-related expenditures within the COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund that were reimbursed via other sources. Questioned costs ? $762,548 ? Questioned costs were calculated as the value of the payroll costs charged to the COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund that were also included on the Period 1 and 2 COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution reports. Context ? The expenditure detail submitted to the City of Odessa for grant reporting purposes was tested. The District utilized payroll costs associated with their COVID-19 departments as a component of their reported expenditures. When reviewing the dates and department codes of the payroll costs submitted, expenditures were identified that were also included on expenditure details utilized for the Period 1 and 2 PRF reports. Effect ? The District submitted expenses to the City of Odessa that were reimbursed from PRF. Cause ? Internal controls were not in place to ensure the District did not submit expenses to multiple sources. The District did not exclude previously reimbursed expenditures in their reporting. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable ? Not a repeat finding. Recommendation ? Policies and procedures over federal grant reporting should be modified to ensure reported expenditures are not double dipped. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions ? See attached corrective action plan for the District?s response to finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan for Finding 2022-001 We are in receipt of the finding required to be reported by Uniform Guidance, regarding questioned costs and material instance of noncompliance with respect to Allowable Costs/Cost Principles. Management agrees with the finding. Policies and procedures over federal grant reporting will be modified to ensure reports are prepared using complete and accurate information, including ensuring that expenditures are not reimbursed by more than one federal funding source. Additionally, management notes that the funding represented a loan from the City of Odessa and was fully repaid during December 2022. Grant Trollope, ACFO, will be responsible to ensure that the corrective action plan is followed. This corrective action plan will be implemented by September 30, 2023.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 38255 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 614696 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 614697 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $3.00M
93.498 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (arp) Rural Distribution $2.66M
93.461 Hrsa Covid-19 Claims Reimbursement for the Uninsured Program and the Covid-19 Coverage Assistance Fund $2.63M
93.527 Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program $888,489