Belmont Metropolitan Housing Authority

24 CFR § 990.170 states the utility expense level (UEL) for each PHA is based on its consumption for each utility, the applicable rates for each utility, and an applicable inflation factor. The UEL for a given funding period is the product of the utility rate multiplied by the payable consumption level multiplied by the inflation factor. The UEL is expressed in terms of PUM costs. The Authority did not have the proper internal controls in place over reporting their UEL. During our testing of utility expense level calculations, we noted that six out of sixteen (38%) of utility records tested did not have the correct consumption recorded in the utility ledger as noted on the invoice. In addition, we noted inconsistencies between the 4 AMPs relating to the consumption amounts reported on the Form 52722. Failure to properly record the consumption amount can lead to HUD not receiving accurate information for funding. The Authority should implement procedures over the utility log to ensure that the proper consumption amount is being logged and reported to HUD on the Form 52722.

The Housing Authority will appoint staff not already responsible for entering utility consumption and cost to check data entry for errors, and inform staff who enters this data what needs corrected on a monthly basis. For the inconsistencies relating to Form 52722, this form is prepared by our fee accountant with data provided by Belmont Metropolitan Housing Authority. Due to the retirement of both the Executive Director and the Finance Manager in October 2021 and January 2022 respectively, there was not proper explanation on preparing this form internally. Since then BMHA staff have gained a better understanding of this, particularly through this audit finding and will be checking form 52772 for accuracy after it is completed by the fee accountant more thoroughly and with a better understanding of what this form entails and requires