Finding 485612 (2020-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2020
Accepted
2024-09-03
Audit: 318386
Organization: Great Redwood Trail Agency (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: GRTA failed to submit audited financial statements within the required 120-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: This noncompliance violates the reporting requirements set by the Federal Railroad Administration.
  • Recommended Follow-up: GRTA should create a timeline for audits and allocate financial resources to ensure timely completion in the future.

Finding Text

Findings and Questioned Costs for Federal Awards U.S. Department of Transportation Program Name: Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program CFDA# 20.316 Finding 2020-1 Significant Deficiency Material noncompliance Lack of reporting under Financial and Project Reports requirement 4.6 Criteria: Per the agreement with Federal Railroad Administration for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Loan, GRTA must provide audited financial statements within 120 days after fiscal year end. Condition: GRTA did not provide the audited financial statements within the required timeframe. Questioned costs: Not applicable Context: As of 120 days after year end, GRTA was unable to provide audited financial statements to the Administer. Effect: No definitive effect of missing this deadline was noted. Cause: GRTA lacked the financial resources needed to complete the audit on a timely basis. Recommendation: GRTA should develop a schedule to complete the audit on a timely basis and prioritize the use of its financial resources accordingly. View of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: GRTA will develop a time schedule to ensure that the audits are completed within 120 days after the fiscal year end. GRTA will set aside certain annual encroachment lease payments to ensure that financial resources will be available to pay for the audit services.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Numbers: 2021-1 & 2020-1 Lack of reporting under Financial and Project Reports requirement 4.6 (Significant Deficiency and Material Noncompliance) Planned Corrective Action: Pursuant to SB1029 (McGuire) as amended in August 2018, management of North Coast Railroad cooperated with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) to discharge the debt obligation to the Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Program. Funds were included in the 2018-2019 State budget to discharge this debt and in July 2021, $2.4 million was paid to pay the RRIF loan in full. Person responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Great Redwood Trail Agency and Elaine Hogan, General Manager. Anticipated Date of Completion: This corrective action was completed in July 2021 with the repayment of the RRIF loan in full.

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.316 Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program $2.35M