Finding 39483 (2022-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-07-09
Audit: 45766
Organization: School District of Colby (WI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District failed to include a prevailing wage clause in a construction contract funded by the Education Stabilization Fund, leading to non-compliance with wage rate requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Certified payrolls were not submitted, violating Department of Labor regulations for projects over $2,000.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement controls to ensure future contracts comply with wage rate requirements and obtain certified payrolls for all relevant projects.

Finding Text

2022-004 ? Education Stabilization Fund ? Prevailing wage rate requirements Criteria: Wage rate requirements apply to the Education Stabilization Fund when laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors work on construction contracts more than $2,000. Laborers must be paid wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL). Nonfederal entities shall include in their contracts, subject to wage rate requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with those requirements and the DOL regulations. This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor to submit to the District weekly payrolls and a statement of compliance (certified payrolls). Condition: There was one Education Stabilization Fund construction project performed by a subcontractor. Grant expenditures for the project paid by the Education Stabilization Fund totaled $263,826. There was not a prevailing wage clause in the contract and certified payrolls were not received. Cause: The District was not aware that wage rate requirements applied to the construction project until after it was completed. The District did verify that prevailing wage rates were paid by the contractor during the project; however, they did not obtain certified payrolls. Effect: A reimbursement request was made for expenditures that did not comply with wage rate requirements. Questioned Costs: $263,826 Auditor?s Recommendation: Establish controls to comply with wage rate requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund. Grantee Response: The District will comply with the wage rate requirements for the Education Stabilization Fund going forward.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-004 ? Education Stabilization Fund ? Prevailing wage rate requirements Criteria: Wage rate requirements apply to the Education Stabilization Fund when laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors work on construction contracts more than $2,000. Laborers must be paid wages not less than those established for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the Department of Labor (DOL). Nonfederal entities shall include in their contracts, subject to wage rate requirements, a provision that the contractor or subcontractor comply with those requirements and the DOL regulations. This includes a requirement for the contractor or subcontractor to submit to the District weekly payrolls and a statement of compliance (certified payrolls). Condition: There was one Education Stabilization Fund construction project performed by a subcontractor. Grant expenditures for the project paid by the Education Stabilization Fund totaled $263,826. There was not a prevailing wage clause in the contract and certified payrolls were not received. Cause: The District was not aware that wage rate requirements applied to the construction project until after it was completed. The District did verify that prevailing wage rates were paid by the contractor during the project; however, they did not obtain certified payrolls. Effect: A reimbursement request was made for expenditures that did not comply with wage rate requirements. Questioned Costs: $263,826 Auditor?s Recommendation: Establish controls to comply with wage rate requirements related to the Education Stabilization Fund. Grantee Response: The District will comply with the wage rate requirements for the Education Stabilization Fund going forward. Contact Person: Brian Zaleski Anticipated Completion: June 30, 2023

Categories

Questioned Costs Cash Management Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 39484 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 39485 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 615925 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 615926 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 615927 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $339,954
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $208,332
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $87,085
10.553 School Breakfast Program $79,058
32.009 Emergency Connectivity Fund Program $50,288
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $45,208
10.582 Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program $24,999
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $17,550
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $17,435
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $11,183
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $2,141
10.555 National School Lunch Program $754