Garfield CountyLocal Government

Finding # 2021-002 Program: Various, including AL 97.036 – Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared Disasters) – Reporting Grant Number & Year: Various Federal Grantor Agency: Various, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security Pass-Through Entity: Various, including Nebraska Military Department Criteria: Title 2 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 200.512(a)(1) (January 1, 2021) states the following: The audit must be completed and the data collection form described in paragraph (b) of this section and reporting package described in paragraph (c) of this section must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor’s report(s), or nine months after the end of the audit period. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the reporting package is due the next business day. Title 2 CFR § 200.508 (January 1, 2021) states, in part, the following: The auditee must: (a) Procure or otherwise arrange for the audit required by this part in accordance with §200.509, and ensure it is properly performed and submitted when due in accordance with §200.512. Title 2 CFR § 200.303 (January 1, 2021) states the following, in relevant part: The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in ‘‘Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government’’ issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the ‘‘Internal Control Integrated Framework’’, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). A good internal control plan requires adequate procedures to ensure the audit is completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the time frame required by Title 2 CFR § 200.512. Condition: Garfield County did not have adequate procedures in place to monitor Federal expenditures and ensure a Single Audit was completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse in accordance with Title 2 CFR § 200.512. Consequently, the County had a basic financial statement audit completed for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, which was issued on September 15, 2021, but that audit did not include the additional information necessary to meet Uniform Guidance and Single Audit Act requirements. When the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 was completed, the Auditor of Public Accounts identified that the County should have had a Single Audit completed for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Repeat Finding: No Questioned Costs: None Statistical Sample: No Cause: Overall lack of knowledge and experience by County personnel related to Federal reporting and compliance requirements; misunderstanding of when expenditures for AL # 97.036 were required to be reported on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Effect: Noncompliance with Federal regulations, which could lead to Federal sanctions, and Single Audits not being completed when required. Recommendation: We recommend the County obtain necessary training related to Federal reporting requirements, establish written procedures for closely monitoring Federal expenditures, and ensure a Single audit is completed and submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within the time frame required by Title 2 CFR § 200.512. View of Officials: The County plans to make sure and have proper education and obtain training to ensure County personnel are aware of Federal reporting requirements and understanding of the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards.