Finding 478377 (2023-007)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-07-12
Audit: 315062
Organization: City of Santa Fe (NM)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City submitted 10 financial reports without necessary supporting documentation, indicating a material weakness in internal controls over compliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title 2 US Code of Federal Regulations requires effective internal controls and proper documentation for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Strengthen documentation processes to ensure all financial reports are backed by adequate support to avoid future compliance issues.

Finding Text

2023‐007 (2021‐009) – Financial Reporting (Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Compliance) (repeated/modified) Federal Program Information Federal Award Title and ALN: Airport Improvement Program, 20.106 Federal Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration Federal Award ID Number: SAF‐SWG‐3‐35‐0037‐051‐2020; SAF‐SWG‐3‐35‐0037‐052‐2020; SAF‐SWG‐3‐35‐0037‐054‐2021; SAF‐SWG‐3‐35‐0037‐057‐2021 Federal Award Year: 2023 Condition: During review of reports, the City submitted 10 financial reports that did not include supporting backup documentation to substantiate the information reported. Management’s Progress on Repeat Findings: Some progress made from prior year. Criteria: Per Title 2 US Code of Federal Regulations Part 200.303a, non‐federal entities must establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non‐Federal entities is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Per Title 2 US Code of Federal Regulations Part 200.508(d), the Auditee must provide the auditor with access to books, records, supporting documentation, and other information as needed for the auditor to perform the audit required by grant agreements and part 200.306(b), for all federal awards, any matching funds, must be accepted as part of the non‐Federal entities matching when the following criteria is met (1) Are verifiable from the non‐Federal entities records. Cause: The City does not have sufficient controls in place to ensure documentation is retained to support accuracy of the report. Questioned Cost: None Effect: Lack of proper support for accuracy of reports can result in improper reporting which could lead to disallowed costs. However, our audit disclosed no instances of unallowable costs.

Corrective Action Plan

Recommendation: The auditor recommends the City strengthen the controls in place to provide assurance backup documentation is retained with reports to support amounts reported. The employees responsible for report preparation should be trained to ensure understanding of the relevant Uniform Guidance requirements. Additionally, review procedures should be designed to address proper document retention to substantiate information reported. Action Taken: The City agrees with this finding. In November 2022 (about 5 months into FY23) the City hired a new Airport Manager with substantial experience managing municipal airports and overseeing federal funding for airports. Prior to the hire, the Airport Operations Manager was the acting airport manager, but that position was vacated during FY23. There was a period during FY23 between when the Airport Operations Manager left the City and when the new Airport Manager came on board. In CY24 the Finance Director and the Accounting Officer will work with the Airport staff to implement controls and to provide assurance that Federal Financial Reports have adequate supporting documentation and are reviewed and approved prior to submission the grantor agency timely. The City is in the process of identifying a vendor to contract with Airport to assist with federal compliance and provide training to Airport staff on relevant Uniform Guidance requirements. The vendor’s scope of work will also include helping with developing and documenting standard operating procedures related to documentation requirements and document retention. Due Date of Completion: December 31, 2024 Responsible Official: Emily Oster - Finance Director, James Harries - Airport Manager, Matthew Bonifer - Accounting Officer, Grants Manager (in recruitment)

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 478374 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 478375 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478376 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 478378 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 478379 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478380 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 478381 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 478382 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 478383 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478384 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 478385 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 478386 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 478387 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 478388 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 478389 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1054816 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1054817 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054818 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1054819 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1054820 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1054821 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054822 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1054823 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1054824 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1054825 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054826 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1054827 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1054828 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1054829 2023-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1054830 2023-006
    Material Weakness
  • 1054831 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Covid-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $3.12M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $1.32M
20.106 Airport Improvement Program #54 $850,534
20.505 Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research $348,239
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $273,667
97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program $239,056
20.106 Airport Improvement Program #51 $234,351
14.218 Covid-19: Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $223,455
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $147,490
93.053 Nutrition Services Incentive Program $109,484
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C-1_nutrition Services $94,043
93.788 Opioid Str $84,307
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part B_grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $48,568
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C-2_nutrition Services $43,840
20.106 Airport Improvement Program #52 $42,035
94.002 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program $40,861
20.608 Minimum Penalties for Repeat Offenders for Driving While Intoxicated $35,431
94.011 Foster Grandparent Program $34,773
20.703 Interagency Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants $32,059
93.052 National Family Caregiver Support, Title Iii, Part E $29,101
20.106 Airport Improvement Program #53 $27,360
45.024 Promotion of the Arts_grants to Organizations and Individuals $15,000
93.052 Covid-19: National Family Caregiver Support, Title Iii, Part E Arpa $14,972
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $3,249