In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant findings from an audit of the Guam Homeland Security Office of Civil Defense (GHS OCD), revealing a staggering $34.7 million in questioned costs due to inadequate documentation of expenditures from 2015 to 2022. The audit, conducted by Premier, highlighted ongoing issues with financial management within the agency, which has been under scrutiny since at least 2011, as noted in transition reports from previous administrations.

The Office of Public Accountability (OPA) presented the audit findings, emphasizing the importance of a corrective action plan proposed by GHS OCD's management in response to the audit. The plan aims to address the identified issues and is required by legislation to be implemented by the start of the next fiscal year. The OPA commended GHS OCD for their commitment to resolving these longstanding problems.

During the meeting, it was revealed that GHS OCD has been fully funded by federal sources, yet concerns were raised about the agency's financial practices and the accuracy of its funding certifications. The Department of Administration's internal audit indicated a rise in nonrefundable expenditures, escalating from $6.3 million in 2022 to an estimated $8.4 million as of February 2023.

Officials expressed urgency in addressing these financial discrepancies, with one senator noting the need to halt further financial losses. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the OPA to remain available for further inquiries as the agency works to implement the corrective measures outlined in the audit report.