CITY OF NORTONLocal Government

Federal Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2025 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 21.027 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Quarterly Program Reports Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Development Repeat Finding: Yes Prior Audit Finding Number: 2024-001 Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Timely Submission of Quarterly Program Reports Criteria: 2 C.F.R. § 200.328 Financial Reporting states, in part, the Federal agency or pass-through entity must collect financial reports no less than annually. The Federal agency or pass-through entity may not collect financial reports more frequently than quarterly unless a specific condition has been implemented in accordance with § 200.208. To the extent practicable, the Federal agency or pass-through entity should collect financial reports in coordination with performance reports. The recipient must submit quarterly program reports as required by the Federal award. In the Ohio Department of Development Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant Agreement, Statement of Agreement, Section 6 Reporting Requirements, Exhibit II Reporting, Section 2, Program Reports, all grant award recipients are required to submit program reports on a quarterly basis. Quarterly program reports must be submitted by close of business, on the second Friday, at the end of each quarter. Condition: The City did not submit the quarter ending December 31, 2025 Quarterly Program Report until January 13, 2026, after the deadline of January 9, 2026. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Auditor reviewed the Quarterly Program Report for period ending December 31, 2025 via email submission to Ohio Department of Development, and noted the City did not submit the report until January 13, 2026, which was after the deadline of January 9, 2026. These requirements are outlined in the federal award agreement and applicable UG provisions. Cause and Effect: The issue results of lack of monitoring control related to grant reporting requirements. Failure to submit reports as required, could result in non-compliance with grant requirements. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement procedures and internal deadlines for reviewing and timely submitting all reports under federal awards.

Finding Number: 2024-001 Federal Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2024 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 21.027 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Quarterly Program Reports Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Development Repeat Finding: No Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Timely Submission of Quarterly Program Reports Criteria: 2 C.F.R. § 200.328 Financial Reporting states, in part, the Federal agency or pass-through entity must collect financial reports no less than annually. The Federal agency or pass-through entity may not collect financial reports more frequently than quarterly unless a specific condition has been implemented in accordance with § 200.208. To the extent practicable, the Federal agency or pass-through entity should collect financial reports in coordination with performance reports. The recipient must submit quarterly program reports as required by the Federal award. In the Ohio Department of Development Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant Agreement, Statement of Agreement, Section 6 Reporting Requirements, Exhibit II Reporting, Section 2, Program Reports, all grant award recipients are required to submit program reports on a quarterly basis. Quarterly program reports must be submitted by close of business, on the second Friday, at the end of each quarter. Condition: The City did not submit the quarter ending December 31, 2024 Quarterly Program Report until March 7, 2025, after the deadline of January 10, 2025. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Auditor reviewed the Quarterly Program Report for period ending December 31, 2024 via email submission to Ohio Department of Development, and noted the City did not submit the report until March 7, 2025, which was after the deadline of January 10, 2025. These requirements are outlined in the federal award agreement and applicable UG provisions. Cause and Effect: The issue results of lack of monitoring control related to grant reporting requirements. Failure to submit reports as required, could result in non-compliance with grant requirements. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement procedures and internal deadlines for reviewing and timely submitting all reports under federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.

Finding Number: 2024-001 Federal Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2024 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 21.027 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Quarterly Program Reports Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Development Repeat Finding: No Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Timely Submission of Quarterly Program Reports Criteria: 2 C.F.R. § 200.328 Financial Reporting states, in part, the Federal agency or pass-through entity must collect financial reports no less than annually. The Federal agency or pass-through entity may not collect financial reports more frequently than quarterly unless a specific condition has been implemented in accordance with § 200.208. To the extent practicable, the Federal agency or pass-through entity should collect financial reports in coordination with performance reports. The recipient must submit quarterly program reports as required by the Federal award. In the Ohio Department of Development Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant Agreement, Statement of Agreement, Section 6 Reporting Requirements, Exhibit II Reporting, Section 2, Program Reports, all grant award recipients are required to submit program reports on a quarterly basis. Quarterly program reports must be submitted by close of business, on the second Friday, at the end of each quarter. Condition: The City did not submit the quarter ending December 31, 2024 Quarterly Program Report until March 7, 2025, after the deadline of January 10, 2025. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Auditor reviewed the Quarterly Program Report for period ending December 31, 2024 via email submission to Ohio Department of Development, and noted the City did not submit the report until March 7, 2025, which was after the deadline of January 10, 2025. These requirements are outlined in the federal award agreement and applicable UG provisions. Cause and Effect: The issue results of lack of monitoring control related to grant reporting requirements. Failure to submit reports as required, could result in non-compliance with grant requirements. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement procedures and internal deadlines for reviewing and timely submitting all reports under federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.

Finding Number: 2024-001 Federal Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2024 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 21.027 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Quarterly Program Reports Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Development Repeat Finding: No Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Timely Submission of Quarterly Program Reports Criteria: 2 C.F.R. § 200.328 Financial Reporting states, in part, the Federal agency or pass-through entity must collect financial reports no less than annually. The Federal agency or pass-through entity may not collect financial reports more frequently than quarterly unless a specific condition has been implemented in accordance with § 200.208. To the extent practicable, the Federal agency or pass-through entity should collect financial reports in coordination with performance reports. The recipient must submit quarterly program reports as required by the Federal award. In the Ohio Department of Development Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant Agreement, Statement of Agreement, Section 6 Reporting Requirements, Exhibit II Reporting, Section 2, Program Reports, all grant award recipients are required to submit program reports on a quarterly basis. Quarterly program reports must be submitted by close of business, on the second Friday, at the end of each quarter. Condition: The City did not submit the quarter ending December 31, 2024 Quarterly Program Report until March 7, 2025, after the deadline of January 10, 2025. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Auditor reviewed the Quarterly Program Report for period ending December 31, 2024 via email submission to Ohio Department of Development, and noted the City did not submit the report until March 7, 2025, which was after the deadline of January 10, 2025. These requirements are outlined in the federal award agreement and applicable UG provisions. Cause and Effect: The issue results of lack of monitoring control related to grant reporting requirements. Failure to submit reports as required, could result in non-compliance with grant requirements. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement procedures and internal deadlines for reviewing and timely submitting all reports under federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.

Finding Number: 2024-001 Federal Program: COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year: 2024 Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 21.027 Federal Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Treasury Compliance Requirement: Reporting – Quarterly Program Reports Pass-through Entity: Ohio Department of Development Repeat Finding: No Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance – Timely Submission of Quarterly Program Reports Criteria: 2 C.F.R. § 200.328 Financial Reporting states, in part, the Federal agency or pass-through entity must collect financial reports no less than annually. The Federal agency or pass-through entity may not collect financial reports more frequently than quarterly unless a specific condition has been implemented in accordance with § 200.208. To the extent practicable, the Federal agency or pass-through entity should collect financial reports in coordination with performance reports. The recipient must submit quarterly program reports as required by the Federal award. In the Ohio Department of Development Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Program Grant Agreement, Statement of Agreement, Section 6 Reporting Requirements, Exhibit II Reporting, Section 2, Program Reports, all grant award recipients are required to submit program reports on a quarterly basis. Quarterly program reports must be submitted by close of business, on the second Friday, at the end of each quarter. Condition: The City did not submit the quarter ending December 31, 2024 Quarterly Program Report until March 7, 2025, after the deadline of January 10, 2025. Questioned Costs: None. Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed: N/A Context: Auditor reviewed the Quarterly Program Report for period ending December 31, 2024 via email submission to Ohio Department of Development, and noted the City did not submit the report until March 7, 2025, which was after the deadline of January 10, 2025. These requirements are outlined in the federal award agreement and applicable UG provisions. Cause and Effect: The issue results of lack of monitoring control related to grant reporting requirements. Failure to submit reports as required, could result in non-compliance with grant requirements. Recommendation: We recommend that the City implement procedures and internal deadlines for reviewing and timely submitting all reports under federal awards. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan: See Corrective Action Plan.

QUESTIONED COST, NONCOMPLIANCE AND MATERIAL WEAKNESS Pursuant to HB No. 481, 133rd G.A., Section 27(D), as amended by HB No. 614, 133rd G.A., the legislative authority of a City adopted a resolution or ordinance affirming that the funds so received may be expended only to cover costs of the subdivision consistent with the requirements of section 5001 of the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act," as described in 42 U.S.C. 801(d), and any applicable regulations. 42 U.S.C. 801(d) states that a City shall use the funds provided under a payment made under this section to cover only those costs of the City that: (1) are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID?19); (2) were not accounted for in the governments most recently approved budget as of March 27, 2020; and (3) were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020, and ends on December 31, 2021. One out of six of the non-payroll expenditures tested, totaling $120,531, were not in accordance with the use of funds requirements. The expenditure was for dispatch services of the City; however, the dispatch services were for the 1st quarter of 2020 and the check was dated in January 2020. Therefore, the expenditure does not meet the last two requirements as listed above. In addition, $120,531 in expenditures is considered to be questioned costs of the Coronavirus Relief Fund program. The City should implement procedures to help ensure expenditures of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) meet the guidelines of what is an eligible expenditure.