Finding 963067 (2021-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
F
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-03-27
Audit: 298952
Organization: City of Huntington Park (CA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The City failed to maintain a log of equipment purchased with Equitable Sharing Program funds and has not conducted a physical inventory since 2019.
  • Impacted Requirements: This lack of inventory control violates OMB guidelines for tracking and disposing of federally funded equipment.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement internal controls for tracking equipment, conduct a physical inventory, establish disposal procedures, and consider a computerized asset management system.

Finding Text

2021-002 – Equipment and Real Property Management (NC/SD) Federal Program Title: Equitable Sharing Program Federal Catalog Number: 16.922 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Category of Finding: Equipment and Real Property Management Criteria: Pursuant to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix XI, Compliance Supplement July 2021 Part 4 16.922 Equitable Sharing Program (page 16.922-2), property purchased with equitable sharing funds, or obtained for official use, is subject to inventory control, log maintenance, and disposal requirements. Condition: During our audit, we noted that the City did not maintain a log of equipment acquired with ESP funds. The City has not performed a physical inventory of equipment at least since 2019. Cause: Lack of appropriate control over equipment acquired with ESP funds, mainly due to turn-over in City personnel. Effect or Potential Effect: Equipment acquired with ESP funds may have been utilized for purposes not in accordance with the program’s objectives. If a piece of equipment was disposed, the City would not be able to comply with disposal requirements. Questioned Cost: None. Context: We inquired with City personnel who are directly responsible for the program. They were not aware of an equipment log maintained by the City or a physical inventory of equipment during fiscal year 2021. Statistical Sampling Validity: Not applicable. No sampling was performed. Repeat of a Prior-Year Finding: Yes. Recommendation: The City should design and establish internal controls over equipment acquired using federal funds, which should include: 1) Tracking of equipment purchases which should include the asset ID 2) Physical inventory of equipment, including tagging of the assets 3) Formal procedures for disposal of equipment purchased with federal funds 4) Consider converting to a computerized asset management system 5) Purchases of equipment should be approved and supporting documentation should be retained for all items. Management Response and Corrective Action Plan City’s Response: The City Concurs with the finding. Staff responsible for this control during FY 2021 are no longer employed by the City. Corrective Action Plan: Current City staff will begin a physical inventory of fixed asset to ensure documentation assets are identified by the associated funds with which they were purchased.

Categories

Equipment & Real Property Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 386625 2021-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 386626 2021-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 386627 2021-001
    Material Weakness
  • 963068 2021-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963069 2021-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $493,144
16.922 Equitable Sharing Program $286,339
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $242,446
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $38,154
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $31,532
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $18,758
16.607 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program $4,583