Finding 522673 (2021-018)

Material Weakness
Requirement
ABH
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2025-02-11
Audit: 341985
Organization: Ottawa County (OK)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Ottawa County lacks established procedures to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements for the Coronavirus Relief Fund, particularly regarding allowable activities and costs.
  • Impacted Requirements: The absence of internal controls may lead to noncompliance with federal regulations, risking the loss of federal funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The County should develop and implement internal control procedures to ensure compliance with all federal grant requirements.

Finding Text

PASS-THROUGH GRANTOR: Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Oklahoma Office and Management and Enterprise Services FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.019 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus Relief Fund FEDERAL AWARD NUMBER: Oklahoma CARES PPE; 4530-DR-OK; SA-2242 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Costs Principles; and Period of Performance QUESTIONED COSTS: $-0- Condition: During the process of documenting the County’s internal controls regarding federal disbursements, we noted that Ottawa County has not established procedures to ensure compliance with the following compliance requirements: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Costs Principles and Period of Performance. Submissions for reimbursement from the Coronavirus Relief Fund were not reviewed by the BOCC for Activities Allowed/Allowed Costs, or to ensure the expenses were incurred during the allowable period of performance. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure federal expenditures are made in accordance with federal grant compliance requirements. Effect of Condition: This condition could result in noncompliance with grant requirements and could lead to the loss of federal funds to the County. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County gain an understanding of requirements for this program and implement internal control procedures to ensure compliance with all requirements. Management Response: District 1 County Commissioner: Ottawa County has implemented internal control procedures to ensure compliance with all requirements. District 2 County Commissioner: I was not in office at this time; however, I will work to gain an understanding of grant requirements and implement internal controls to ensure compliance with those requirements. District 3 County Commissioner: I did not take office until January 2023; however, District 3 will work to better understand all requirements of federal programs and implement better procedures to follow all guidelines to ensure compliance. County Clerk: The County Clerk’s office is continuously learning policies and procedures needed to ensure the County’s federal programs have adequate internal controls. The County Clerk’s office will work on getting written internal control policies and procedures in place. Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.303(a) Internal Controls reads as follows: The non-Federal entity must: 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). 2 CFR § 213 states, “Non-federal entities are subject to the non-procurement debarment and suspension regulations implementing Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, 2 CFR part 180. These regulations restrict awards, subawards, and contracts with certain parties that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal assistance programs or activities.” Additionally, GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.23 states in part: Objectives of an Entity – Compliance Objectives Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements.

Corrective Action Plan

The county will work to design and implement a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with all applicable grant requirements.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 522672 2021-017
    Material Weakness
  • 522674 2021-016
    Material Weakness
  • 1099114 2021-017
    Material Weakness
  • 1099115 2021-018
    Material Weakness
  • 1099116 2021-016
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $919,176
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $29,639
16.034 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program $23,452