Finding 567020 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-06-25
Audit: 359928
Organization: City of North Little Rock (AR)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to submit a required report for a first-tier subaward of $36,000 in the FSRS.
  • Impacted Requirements: This oversight violates 2 CFR Part 170 and FAR 52.204-10(a), affecting compliance with federal transparency standards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Establish a process to regularly review and track subaward reporting to ensure compliance moving forward.

Finding Text

Finding: Reporting CDBG – Entitlement Grants Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 14.218 Department of Housing and Urban Development, Award Number B-24-MC-05-0005, Award Year 2024 Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR Part 170 and FAR 52.204-10(a), a recipient must report subaward data through the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) for each first-tier subaward or subaward amendment that results in an obligation of $30,000 or more in federal funds. Condition: We noted the City did not submit the required report in FSRS during the year ended December 31, 2024 for a first-tier subaward resulting in an obligation of $36,000. Questioned Costs: None Context: We identified and tested one first-tier subaward that was required to be reported in FSRS for the year ended December 31, 2024, and noted the report was not submitted as described above. Effect: Failure to report subaward obligations in FSRS could lead to inaccurate reporting information in FSRS. In addition, failure to report subaward obligations in FSRS could result in non-compliance with meeting the transparency requirements outlined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Cause: Controls over reporting were not sufficiently operating during the year primarily due to staffing issues and turnover within the Grants Department. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend that the City develop a process for reviewing and tracking the reporting of subaward obligations in FSRS. Views of Responsible Officials: We agree with the finding. See separate report for planned corrective actions.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan for CDBG – Entitlement Grants Cluster: Reporting – Finding 2024-001 We are in receipt of the Findings Required to be Reported by the Uniform Guidance, specifically finding 2024-001 regarding failure to submit the required report in FSRS for the year ended December 31, 2024 for a first-tier subaward resulting in an obligation of $36,000. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions Management agrees with the finding. The City experienced turnover at the end of the fiscal year leaving less time for preparation and review of required reporting. As a result, internal controls and review processes were not in place or were not followed to ensure all required reporting was completed accurately and timely. Overall, we will increase compensating controls by introducing additional management oversight and review for the processes in this area. We will develop a process for reviewing and tracking the reporting of subaward obligations in FSRS to ensure that reporting is in compliance with Department of Housing and Urban Development, CFR, and FAR rules and regulations. Ember Strange, Chief Financial Officer, will be responsible to ensure this is accomplished. The corrective action plan will be implemented by December 31, 2025.

Categories

Reporting Subrecipient Monitoring

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 567021 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1143462 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1143463 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $4.37M
21.027 Covid-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $3.00M
20.106 Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and Covid-19 Airports Programs $1.47M
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $1.11M
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $419,019
14.239 Covid-19 - Home Investment Partnerships Program $380,527
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $341,288
81.128 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (eecbg) $128,080
97.047 Bric: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities $34,036
16.726 Juvenile Mentoring Program $25,514
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $24,210
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $2,050
14.218 Covid-19 - Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $1,141
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $165