Finding 523265 (2023-010)

Material Weakness
Requirement
ABHILM
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-02-14

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The County lacks effective internal controls for managing the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, risking noncompliance with federal grant requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Key areas affected include Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Information and Communication, and Monitoring.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a comprehensive internal control system to ensure compliance with grant requirements and protect federal funding.

Finding Text

Lack of County-Wide Internal Controls Over Major Federal Program Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds PASS-THROUGH GRANTOR: Direct Grant FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.027 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Procurement, Suspension and Debarment; Reporting; Subrecipient Monitoring QUESTIONED COSTS: $-0- Condition: County-wide internal controls regarding Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Information and Communication, and Monitoring have not been designed. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure the County complies with grant requirements. Effect of Condition: This condition could result in noncompliance with grant requirements and could result in loss of federal funds to the County. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County implement a system of internal controls to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: We will work to implement a Risk Assessment plan. We will implement controls to make sure we comply with grant requirements and that federal funds are expended in accordance with grant agreements and in a timely manner. We will ensure employees have the current and correct compliance supplement to work from. Criteria: The GAO Standards – Section 1 – Fundamental Concepts of Internal Control – OV1.01 states in part: Definition of Internal Control Internal control is a process effected by an entity’s oversight body, management, and other personnel that provides reasonable assurance that the objectives of an entity will be achieved. Additionally, GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System – OV2.04 states in part: Components, Principles, and Attributes Control Environment - The foundation for an internal control system. It provides the discipline and structure to help an entity achieve its objectives. Risk Assessment - Assesses the risks facing the entity as it seeks to achieve its objectives. This assessment provides the basis for developing appropriate risk responses. Information and Communication - The quality information management and personnel communicate and use to support the internal control system. Monitoring - Activities management establishes and operates to assess the quality of performance over time and promptly resolve the findings of audits and other reviews.

Corrective Action Plan

We will work to implement a risk assessment plan. We will implement controls to help make sure we are in compliance with all grant requirements and federal funds are expended in accordance with grant agreements and in a timely manner. We will ensure employees have the current and correct compliance supplement to work from.

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Subrecipient Monitoring Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 523266 2023-011
    Material Weakness
  • 523267 2023-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 523268 2023-013
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1099707 2023-010
    Material Weakness
  • 1099708 2023-011
    Material Weakness
  • 1099709 2023-012
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1099710 2023-013
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $4.51M
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants $40,722
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $32,601
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $28,731
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $22,215
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $17,111