Finding 575795 (2022-012)

Material Weakness
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2025-09-08
Audit: 365765
Organization: Village of Coalton (OH)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Village lacks formal cash management policies, leading to an accumulation of federal funds due to cash flow issues.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 2 CFR 200.302(b)(6) and FAR clause 48 CFR 52.216-7 regarding reimbursement requests and documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement formal cash management policies and closely monitor reimbursement requests to align with actual expenditures.

Finding Text

2 CFR 200.302(b)(6) requires that non-Federal entities establish written procedures to implement the requirements of 2 CFR 200.305. The FAR clause at 48 CFR section 52.216-7 applies to reimbursement payment. Paragraph (b)(1) of that clause requires that the non-federal entity request reimbursement for (a) only allocable, allowable, and reasonable contract costs that have already been paid, or (b) if the non-federal entity is not delinquent in paying costs of contract performance in the ordinary course of business, costs incurred, but not necessarily paid. Article V, Section B states: 1. Periodically, but not more frequently than once every 30 calendar days, the Non-Federal Sponsor shall provide the Government with a sufficient invoice for costs the Non-Federal Sponsor has incurred for the Project. 2. Upon receipt of such sufficient invoice, the Government shall review the costs identified therein and shall determine: (a) the amount to be included in total project costs, subject to the limitations in Article II.C. of this Agreement; (b) the total costs incurred by the parties to date (including the value of lands, easements, rights-of-way, and relocations, and the costs of permits determined in accordance with Article V of this Agreement); (c) each party’s share of total project costs and the costs of data recovery activities associated with historic preservation in accordance with Article II.P. of this Agreement incurred by the parties to date; (d) the costs incurred by each party to date; (e) the total amount of reimbursements the Government has made to date in accordance with this paragraph; (f) the balance of Federal funds available for the Project, as of the date of such review; (g) the amount of reimbursement, if any, due to the Non-Federal Sponsor; and (h) the amount that actually will be paid to the Non-Federal Sponsor (hereinafter the “payment amount”) if the amount of reimbursement determined above cannot be fully paid due to an insufficiency of Federal funds or the limitations of the Section 594 Program Limit for Ohio or the Section 102 Limit. Article I, Section K state the term “sufficient invoice” shall mean documentation provided by the Non-Federal Sponsor containing the following: (1) a written certification by the Non-Federal Sponsor to the Government that it has made specified payments to contractors, suppliers, or employees for performance of work in accordance with this Agreement, or a written certification by the Non-Federal Sponsor to the Government that it has received bills from contractors, suppliers, or employees for performance of work in accordance with this Agreement; (2) copies of all relevant invoices and evidence of such payments or bills received; (3) written identification of such costs that have been paid with Federal program funds and a copy of the written verification from the Federal agency that provided the funds; and (4) a written request for reimbursement for the amount of such specified payments or bills received. The Village received funding from various sources for the project. Due to cash flow issues, the Village often used alternate funding to meet federal obligations, leaving an accumulation of federal funds on hand during the year. The Village also does not have any formal policies in place regarding cash management requirements. We recommend that the Village more closely monitor its reimbursement requests in relation to actual expenditures paid to ensure that the Village does not accumulate federal funds. Additionally, the Village should adopt formal policies and procedures that address cash management requirements.

Corrective Action Plan

The funds from the project came from several different grant sources. Bills were due and our consultant DLZ advised us on how to pay these bills even if they were paid from grants other than from the correct grant sources.

Categories

Cash Management Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 575792 2022-009
    Material Weakness
  • 575793 2022-010
    Material Weakness
  • 575794 2022-011
    Material Weakness
  • 1152234 2022-009
    Material Weakness
  • 1152235 2022-010
    Material Weakness
  • 1152236 2022-011
    Material Weakness
  • 1152237 2022-012
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.000 Design and Construction Assistance $735,567
23.002 Appalachian Area Development $225,000
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $17,919