Finding 393494 (2023-007)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
F
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-04-16
Audit: 303684
Organization: City of Elizabeth (NJ)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The grantee failed to record accessory fit out equipment in property records as required by 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1).
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal property record-keeping standards was not met, affecting asset tracking and accountability.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a process to ensure all capital equipment is documented at purchase and receipt, and update property records accordingly.

Finding Text

Criteria:According to 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1) property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number the source of funding for the property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the project costs for the Federal award under which the property was acquired, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property. Condition: During the purchasing process accessory fit out equipment that was purchased under the grant was not identified and entered in the property records. Effect: The grantee is not in compliance with the requirements of 2 CFR 200.313(d)(1). Cause: The grantee did not identify accessory fit out equipment that was purchased under the grant in the property records. Questioned Costs: None Context/Sampling Property purchased was traced back to the property records maintained by the City and six of the eight items purchased were not identified as fixed assets and included in those records. Prior Year None Finding: Recommendation: The grantee needs to put a process in place to ensure that all capital equipment including accessory fit out equipment is captured at time of purchase and receipt and is entered in the property records. Client Response: The City recognizes the importance of internal controls and plans to enhance procedures to ensure that all capital equipment is captured at time of purchase and receipt and properly entered in the property records. The City has actively reviewed its procedures for purchasing and disposition of fixed assets and will make the necessary adjustment to ensure the fixed assets system remains up to date. Covid interruptions with related illnesses, early retirements and hiring difficulties all contributed to a negative impact on productivity

Corrective Action Plan

The City recognizes the importance of internal controls and plans to enhance procedures to ensure that all capital equipment is captured at time of purchase and receipt and properly entered in the property records. The City has actively reviewed its procedures of purchasing and disposition of fixed assets and will make the necessary adjustments to ensure the fixed assets system remains up the date. Covid interruptions with related illnesses, early retirements, and hiring difficulties all contribute to a negative impact on productivity.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 393490 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 393491 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 393492 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 393493 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 393495 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 393496 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 969932 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 969933 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 969934 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 969935 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 969936 2023-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 969937 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 969938 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $4.72M
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.61M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $1.51M
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $835,481
14.241 Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids $678,104
16.922 Equitable Sharing Program $261,103
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $208,027
10.559 Summer Food Service Program for Children $201,220
93.354 Public Health Emergency Response: Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis Response $129,600
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $108,675
93.268 Immunization Cooperative Agreements $94,991
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $56,469
97.056 Port Security Grant Program $16,925
93.136 Injury Prevention and Control Research and State and Community Based Programs $5,803
93.421 Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services Through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health $779