Finding 496942 (2023-004)

FINDING 2023-004 Subject: COVID-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - Body Camera - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of the Treasury Federal Program: COVID-19: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listings Number: 21.027 Federal Award Number and Year (or Other Identifying Number): 71391 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Homeland Security Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Modified Opinion Condition and Context The City had not properly designed or implemented a system of internal controls, which would include appropriate segregation of duties that would likely be effective in preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. Recipients were required to submit quarterly progress reports to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Information to be reported included progress or performance on the project for the appropriate reporting period. The City should have submitted two progress reports during the audit period since the grant agreement was signed on March 3, 2023, and a final quarterly report. The final quarterly report was submitted on October 30, 2023. However, the City only submitted one progress report which was prepared and submitted by a single employee without a review or oversight process in place to prevent, or detect and correct, errors. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to the quarterly reports that were not submitted. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity 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). . . ." INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 20 CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) 2 CFR 200.329(c) states: "Non-construction performance reports. The Federal awarding agency must use standard, governmentwide OMB-approved data elements for collection of performance information including performance progress reports, Research Performance Progress Reports. (1) The non-Federal entity must submit performance reports at the interval required by the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity to best inform improvements in program outcomes and productivity. Intervals must be no less frequent than annually nor more frequent than quarterly except in unusual circumstances, for example where more frequent reporting is necessary for the effective monitoring of the Federal award or could significantly affect program outcomes. Reports submitted annually by the non- Federal entity and/or pass-through entity must be due no later than 90 calendar days after the reporting period. Reports submitted quarterly or semiannually must be due no later than 30 calendar days after the reporting period. Alternatively, the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity may require annual reports before the anniversary dates of multiple year Federal awards. The final performance report submitted by the non-Federal entity and/or pass-through entity must be due no later than 120 calendar days after the period of performance end date. A subrecipient must submit to the pass-through entity, no later than 90 calendar days after the period of performance end date, all final performance reports as required by the terms and conditions of the Federal award. If a justified request is submitted by a non-Federal entity, the Federal agency may extend the due date for any performance report. (2) As appropriate in accordance with above mentioned performance reporting, these reports will contain, for each Federal award, brief information on the following unless other data elements are approved by OMB in the agency information collection request: (i) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives of the Federal award established for the period. Where the accomplishments of the Federal award can be quantified, a computation of the cost (for example, related to units of accomplishment) may be required if that information will be useful. Where performance trend data and analysis would be informative to the Federal awarding agency program, the Federal awarding agency should include this as a performance reporting requirement. (ii) The reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate. (iii) Additional pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs." The Grant Agreement states in part: "The Subrecipient shall submit to the State written progress reports until completion of the project. These reports shall be submitted on a quarterly basis and shall contain such detail of progress or performance on the Project or as requested by the State." Cause Management had not developed a system of internal controls that would have prevented or detected and allowed for correction of material noncompliance. The City did not complete and submit quarterly reports as required because the officials were unaware of the requirement. INDIANA STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTS 21 CITY OF MICHIGAN CITY SCHEDULE OF FINDINGS AND QUESTIONED COSTS (Continued) Effect Without the proper design or implementation of the components of a system of internal controls, the internal control system cannot be capable of effectively preventing, or detecting and correcting, noncompliance. As such, not all the required reports were not submitted. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that management of the City design and implement a proper system of internal controls, including policies and procedures to ensure the City completes and submits all required reports. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.