Finding 519413 (2024-003)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-01-16
Audit: 338355
Organization: City of Westminster, Maryland (MD)
Auditor: Sb & Company LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to comply with HUD's requirement for a depository agreement, leaving federal funds unprotected from July 1, 2023, to April 16, 2024.
  • Impacted Requirements: Public Housing Authorities must have depository agreements in place to safeguard federal funds and ensure compliance with HUD regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a tracking system for depository agreement expirations to prevent future lapses in compliance.

Finding Text

Department of Housing and Urban Development 14.871 Housing Voucher Cluster Non-compliance with Depository Agreement Requirement Repeat Findings: Yes, 2023-003 Criteria: Public Housing Authorities are required to enter into depository agreements with their financial institutions in the form required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agreements serve as safeguards for Federal funds and provide third party rights to HUD. Among the terms in many agreements are requirements for funds to be placed in an interestbearing account (24 CFR section 982.156). Condition and Context: The City did not enter into a depository agreement with their financial institution until April 17, 2024. From July 1, 2023 to April 16, 2024 the City was not compliant with HUD’s depository agreement requirement. This non-compliance was brought to the attention of management during their 2024 fiscal year and was corrected soon after. Cause: The City does not have an effective policy in place to track their HUD depository agreement expiration. Effect or Potential Effect: HUD funds are not properly deposited or safeguarded. Questioned Costs: Unknown. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implements a system to track the expiration of the agreement to avoid lapses in HUD requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The City agrees with the finding. See Section V for the corrective action plan.

Categories

HUD Housing Programs

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $2.68M
14.871 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers $206,795
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $56,903
16.607 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $5,417