Finding 485942 (2023-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-09-06
Audit: 318668
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District failed to maintain effective internal controls, leading to errors in quarterly reports.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a) regarding accurate reporting of federal award costs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and improve the process for compiling quarterly reports to ensure accuracy and proper support for reported amounts.

Finding Text

Department of Homeland Security, State of Nebraska Office of Emergency Management Agency, 97.039, DR‐4420‐NE‐0017 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Reporting Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: Certain line items in the reports submitted for the quarters ended 6/30/2023 and 9/30/2023 contained costs from the incorrect period. Cause: The District utilized the “Job Analysis Report” and was unaware the report contained costs that were from the incorrect period. Effect: The District’s control process and procedures did not detect or correct the errors. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs over $25,000. Context/Sampling: Nonstatistical sampling was used. There were four quarterly reports submitted throughout the fiscal year. As such, two reports were selected for testing. Key line items were identified within the reports for testing. Repeat Finding form Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend the District review the process surrounding the data utilized to put together the quarterly reports submitted to ensure the correct amounts are used and are properly supported. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency Name: Department of Homeland Security Pass-Through Entity: State of Nebraska Emergency Management Agency Federal Financial Assistance Listing #97.039 Program Name: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Finding Summary: The District’s control processes and procedures did not detect the errors associated with certain line items in the reports submitted for the quarters ended 6/30/2023 and 9/30/2023 containing costs from the incorrect period. Responsible Individuals: Carmen Christensen, CFO/Office Manager Corrective Action Plan: The State of Nebraska requires quarterly reporting on FEMA funded projects. The due date of the report is the 15th of the month following the end of the quarter. Due to this timing and the monthend closing process of Elkhorn RPPD’s financials, the costs for work order costs related to payroll benefits and any overheads are not included in the quarterly project costs. These are submitted the next quarterly report. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 485940 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 485941 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1062382 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1062383 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1062384 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant $1.66M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $128,278