Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Finance And Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mariposa loans $2.07 million in CMAQ funds to San Luis Obispo after audit delay; two local projects deferred
Summary
Facing an unavailable federal grant tied to an incomplete single audit, Mariposa County approved a two-year loan of $2,072,346 in CMAQ funds to San Luis Obispo County so the money will not be lost; county officials said the move pauses local paving and pedestrian projects until funds return.
Mariposa County supervisors voted unanimously Aug. 19 to approve a two‑year loan of $2,072,346 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments after state auditors and Caltrans notified the county it could not access the money because the county’s single audit remained incomplete. Shanna Hansen, Mariposa County public works director, told the board, “we are not able to access our $2,000,000 of CMAQ funding due to the single audit not being done.”
The board approved a letter of understanding that will transfer the CMAQ allocation to San Luis Obispo so that the funds can be used for that county’s ready projects and returned to Mariposa when the county clears its audit issues. The loan is expected to be repaid in October 2027, and county staff characterized the transfer as a way to avoid losing the allocation entirely.
The decision puts two Mariposa projects on hold: the planned paving of Leonard Road and the pedestrian stairs project at Mariposa Park. Director Hansen said those projects will be postponed until the CMAQ funds return. Commissioner Menachery expressed frustration at the delay and asked whether Mariposa would receive interest on the loan; Hansen replied there would be no interest.
County Administrative Officer Joe Lynch updated the board on audit progress, saying the county received a draft of the fiscal 2023 single audit “two days ago” and that staff and outside contractors have been working to complete the 2024 audit on a scope that aims to put the county back on schedule. Lynch said the county had arranged a contract with Smith & Newell to help complete fiscal 2024 work before year‑end.
Supervisors pressed for clarity about the broader consequences. Supervisor Poe criticized the ongoing delays, saying the county had been behind in audits for more than two years and has lost or delayed grant opportunities as a result. Several supervisors asked that the roles and authorities of elected officials and county administration be clarified publicly so constituents understand what the board can and cannot direct.
The letter of understanding with the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments carried on a unanimous voice vote. Commissioner Smoakam moved the action; Supervisor Poe seconded it. The board recorded the measure as approved with all five supervisors voting in favor.
County staff said the loan was the preferable alternative to forfeiting the CMAQ allocation, and they committed to continuing efforts to complete the single audits that prompted the restriction.
