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Council presses administration over recurring HUD/CDBG audit findings; administration cites training and process changes
Summary
Council members questioned city officials about recurring audit findings tied to CDBG and HUD grants, missing audit-trail documentation and late reporting. Administration said it has expanded training, reduced backlog and is reviewing ARPA and grant encumbrances to avoid returning funds.
Council members on the Trenton City Council pressed city administration over recurring audit findings tied to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements during the council's regular meeting.
Councilwoman Edwards asked whether findings in the 2024 corrective action plan were repeats of prior years, citing concerns about recurring documentation gaps and untimely financial and performance reports. Business administration representatives acknowledged some repeat issues but said they were often connected to funds labeled to earlier entitlement years after HUD withheld and later released funding during the 2016'2019 period.
A city official told the council that the backlog of unspent entitlement funds had been reduced substantially by building a dedicated team led by the staff member in charge of CDBG. "We had seven times the amount of money we were supposed to have," the official said, adding the city has cut that to roughly three times and expects further progress toward HUD's 1.5% guideline.
Council members pushed for specifics about implementation. Administration officials said procurement and grant-related trainings were being held frequently, that department directors were required to complete public purchasing courses, and that the procurement unit schedules recurring instruction. The administration also said it has been asking departments to provide proof of completed trainings and has convened regular budget-monitoring meetings to reduce surprises later in the fiscal year.
On ARPA spending, council members sought a written report on allocations, dispersals and remaining balances. Administration representatives said staff are auditing internal and external encumbrances so unspent ARPA funds can be reallocated before statutory deadlines. "We need to have everything spent by the end of this year," an administration official said.
Council members requested measurable outcomes for the training and corrective actions so recurring audit findings diminish in subsequent audits. The council asked for follow-up reporting on implementation metrics and a written update on ARPA allocations and procurement exceptions.
The council closed the segment by moving the consent agenda and approving a set of resolutions by roll call.
