During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the transition from a consulting firm and the subsequent challenges faced in reconciling financial information related to the emergency rental assistance program. The transition resulted in delays in processing data from a third-party vendor, Fiserv, which affected the timely reconciliation of funds. However, officials confirmed that all discrepancies were identified and reconciled during the audit process, although they acknowledged that the timing of these reconciliations was not ideal.

Commissioner Killeen raised concerns about the timing of the reconciliations, emphasizing that while the audit confirmed the reconciliations were completed, they should have been performed sooner. The discussion highlighted the importance of internal controls, particularly regarding risk assessments for subrecipients involved in the emergency rental assistance program. A significant deficiency was noted, indicating that the county's controls were inadequate in ensuring compliance with federal guidelines prior to executing agreements with subrecipients.

In response to these findings, county officials stated they are implementing new processes to ensure that pre-award assessments are conducted before contracts are finalized. The program, funded by federal COVID-19 relief dollars, was described as being developed rapidly in response to the pandemic, with ongoing adjustments being made as regulations evolved.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the emergency rental assistance program, with a performance engagement report expected within 45 days. This report aims to address current challenges and improve the program's effectiveness moving forward.