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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/19/2016 11 State Auditor's Reports - City's 2014 Financial Statements, Federal Single Audit, and AccountabiltyBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDASTATEMENT Item No. 11. For Meeting of: January 19, 2016 ITEM TITLE: State Auditor's Reports - City's 2014 Financial Statements, Federal Single Audit, and Accountability SUBMITTED BY: Cindy Epperson, Director of Finance & Budget SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Attached for Council's information is the Washington State Auditor's Office (SAO) report regarding their examination (audit) of the City of Yakima for the period January 1 through December 31, 2014. SAO issued one report on Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit, which includes three areas of review and corresponding three "reports", as noted below: 1. Financial Reporting, with respect to: (a) Evaluation of internal controls (b) Compliance with laws and regulations 2. Federal Regulations, with respect to: (a) Compliance with laws and regulations (b) Evaluation of internal controls 3. Financial Statements (and related disclosures and internal controls) SAO also performs an Accountability Audit which results in a separate report. As stated in the enclosed auditor's reports, the Auditor gave the City's Financial Statements an Unmodified Opinion (i.e.: clean opinion with no qualifications — the highest possible rating). The City has received an Unmodified Opinion (previously known as Unqualified) from the State Auditor on our financial statements every year for more than two decades. Due to the size and complexity of documents included in the audit report, only the auditors written reports and comments have been included in the Council packet; however, the entire report — including the financial statements themselves and the related footnotes, Management Discussion and Analysis and supplemental information - may be found on the State Auditor's website — http://www.sao.wa.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.ViVk5XnQfcs - towards the bottom of the page on the right-hand side. Click the tab "Search Reports" then enter "City of Yakima" and simply select "Search Reports" towards the bottom of the screen. (Additionally, the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is posted on the City's website. To access the CAFR on-line, go to " www. yakimawa.gov'; then go to "City Departments" at the bottom of the page and click on "Finance'; on the right-hand side click on "Financial Reports'; and then "2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report".) The Finance Department would like to thank the SAO for their assistance in reviewing the operations of the City --we value their insight and appreciate their comments and recommendations for improvement. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: ,- Interim City Manager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Accept Report BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description D 2014 Audit IResullts Summary D 2014 SAGO IF::iiirna nciialll Statements D 2014 SAO Accouirntabiilliity Audit Upload Date 1/11/2016 „Ira° Single Audit. 1/11/2016 1/11/2016 Type Omer Memo Omer Memo Omer Memo Audit Results Summary—Report on Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit: 1) Financial Statements (pg. 11): (a) Internal Controls: The auditors reviewed the City's internal controls over financial reporting to the extent the Auditor's considered necessary for the purpose of designing their auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing their opinion on the financial statements. The audit states (pg. 18): "... as described in the accompanying Schedule of Audit Findings and Responses, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses... ". The Schedule of Audit Findings and Responses (pg. 11-15) identified that the Financial Statements were late being submitted to SAO, and the first set of statements included some material errors that were subsequently corrected. Additionally, the process to develop the Schedule of Federal Awards (SEFA) is not designed to identify federal loans (vs. outright grants) that should be reported on the schedule. Our response was that we implemented a new Financial Management System that needed the proper reports developed, and that our staff accountant who had previously prepared the Financial Statements retired, so we had reduced staffing resources. These conditions should not repeat going forward. We also found the financial statement errors the Auditor identified, and corrected them before the statements were published. The SEFA error was just a training issue, as we know to report grants but were not set up to review loans for a federal source. (b) Compliance: As part of their review to obtain reasonable assurance that the City's financial statements are free of material misstatements, the State Auditors test for compliance with certain provisions of laws and regulations, contracts and grant agreements. The auditor needs to obtain reasonable assurance that compliance with laws, regulations, contracts and grants has occurred, but they do not express an opinion on overall compliance. The audit states (pg. 19): "...the results of our tests disclosed no instances of non-compliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards... ". 2) Major (Federal) Program Regulations (pg. 21-24): Compliance: The auditors are required to perform audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether any non-compliance with laws, regulations, etc. could have a direct and material effect on a major federal program. The audit states: (pg. 22) "...In our opinion, the City complied, in all material respects, with the compliance requirements ... that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended December 31, 2014." Internal Controls over Compliance: The auditors perform procedures to test internal controls over compliance requirements that could have a direct and material effect on major federal programs for the purpose of expressing an opinion on compliance (as noted above) and to test and report on internal control over compliance in accordance with OMB Circular A-133. The auditors reported that they found an instance of noncompliance with requirements, but that "our opinion on each major federal program is not modified with respect to these matters." (The finding is described in pages 6-10). There is a reporting requirement for subrecipients of the Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants program that we did not know to submit. Now that we know, we intend to remain in compliance with this requirement, and keep trained on new regulations. 3) Financial Statements (pg. 25-27): the State Auditors audited - and expressed an opinion on - the City's Financial Statements for the period January 1 through December 31, 2014. The auditors gave the City an unqualified opinion - the highest rating possible. The auditors stated "...In our opinion, the financial statements... present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Yakima, as of December 31, 2014 and the respective changes in financial position and, where applicable, cash flows thereof, and the respective budgetary comparisons for the General and Streets Capital Fund for the year then ended, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America." Audit Results Summary—Report on Accountability: The final component of the SAO audit is an accountability audit that focused on the City's compliance with applicable state laws and our own policies and procedures. They also examine areas that pose a high risk of fraud, loss, abuse, or noncompliance. Their report states "In most areas we audited, City operations complied with applicable requirements and provided adequate safeguarding of public resources. The City also complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined." There were no "findings" in this report. Washington State Auditor's Office September 30, 2015 Mayor and City Council City of Yakima Yakima, Washington Report on Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit Please find attached our report on the City of Yakima's financial statements and compliance with federal laws and regulations. We are issuing this report in order to provide information on the City's financial condition. Sincerely, JAN M. JUTTE, CPA, CGFM ACTING STATE AUDITOR OLYMPIA, WA Insurance Building, P.O. Box 40021 L Olympia, Washington 98504-0021 J (360) 902-0370 L TDD Relay (800) 833-6388 IIIIIIII00000000000lvoo 11111111 1111 1111111111111111 111111111111111111111111 000000 uoopii uuuu'i iiiii uii uiulllllluuuu iuu iiiiiiiiiiiii Federal Summary 4 Schedule Of Federal Audit Findings And Questioned Costs 6 Schedule Of Audit Findings And Responses 11 Status Of Prior Audit Findings 16 Independent Auditor's Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting And On Compliance And Other Matters Based On An Audit Of Financial Statements Performed In Accordance With Government Auditing Standards 18 Independent Auditor's Report On Compliance For Each Major Federal Program And On Internal Control Over Compliance In Accordance With OMB Circular A-133 21 Independent Auditor's Report On Financial Statements 25 Financial Section 28 Corrective Action Plan For Findings Reported Under OMB Circular A-133 112 About The State Auditor's Office 114 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 3 uuuulllllllll"'luuuuii�11iuuuiu uuuuui o II1 1 uuuV6uuu0011uuu0000000i Diu 11011 ui uuu uuuiii iuu uuuoi ui iuuuuuiuu11 iV uuuIlll1 City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 The results of our audit of the City of Yakima are summarized below in accordance with U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133. Financial Statements An unmodified opinion was issued on the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information. Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: • Significant Deficiencies: We reported no deficiencies in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be significant deficiencies. • Material Weaknesses: We identified deficiencies that we consider to be material weaknesses. We noted no instances of noncompliance that were material to the financial statements of the City. Federal Awards Internal Control Over Major Programs: • Significant Deficiencies: We reported no deficiencies in the design or operation of internal control over major federal programs that we consider to be significant deficiencies. • Material Weaknesses: We identified deficiencies that we consider to be material weaknesses. We issued an unmodified opinion on the City's compliance with requirements applicable to each of its major federal programs. We reported findings that are required to be disclosed under section 510(a) of OMB Circular A-133. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 4 Identification of Major Programs: The following were major programs during the period under audit: CFDA No. Program Title 14.218 CDBG - Entitlement Grants Cluster - Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants 20.106 Airport Improvement Program 20.513 Transit Services Programs Cluster - Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities The dollar threshold used to distinguish between Type A and Type B programs, as prescribed by OMB Circular A-133, was $300,000. The City qualified as a low-risk auditee under OMB Circular A-133. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 5 111111111 111 1111111111111 u� �uu1110 uuiiii 10 11, E01 uuuiu 111111111111 1 11 00-11""000011 0001111111111.0." ftmw 1111111 d 00 10 City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 2014-001 The City's internal controls were not adequate to ensure compliance with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) reporting requirements. CFDA Number and Title: Federal Grantor Name: Federal Award/Contract Number: Pass-through Entity Name: Pass-through Award/Contract Number: Questioned Cost Amount: 14.218 Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development B10 -MC -53-008 NA NA $0 Background The City received $1,057,068 in federal funds through the Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants program during fiscal year 2014. The purpose of this grant is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Under the grant agreement, the City enters into contracts with service providers (subrecipients) to carry out portions of the grant objectives. The City paid $125,000 to subrecipients through this program. Description of Condition The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 requires direct recipients of federal awards to report subawards over $25,000. They must report each subaward using the federal government's online system by the end of the month following the month in which it was granted. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 6 In 2014, the City entered into two contracts of $50,000 and $75,000. The City did not have controls in place to ensure the required reports were submitted. We consider the control deficiency to be a material weakness. Cause of Condition The City was not aware of the FFATA reporting requirements and its responsibility to report subawards of over $25,000. Effect of Condition and Questioned Costs The City did not submit the required FFATA reports, which diminishes the federal government's ability to ensure transparency and accountability of federal spending. Once the City became aware of the requirement, it promptly reported these awards in the online system during the audit. Recommendation We recommend the City develop internal controls to ensure required FFATA reports are reviewed and submitted in a timely manner. City's Response The City is aware of its responsibility to maintain internal controls over the reporting of expenditures of federal funds and has strived to report all such activity accurately and completely. However, the City was not aware of the new FFATA reporting requirements prior to the audit. Although the City participates in trainings covering federal grant reporting requirements, this new act was not a topic covered in recent courses. The City has relied upon the local training and our federal agency program coordinators (especially HUD) to keep us informed of any changes to federal grant requirements which has been sufficient in the past. Upon discovery of the failure to report on the FFATA website, the City immediately reported all of its sub -recipients of federal grant funds. We will continue to do so and will access other available resources to learn about new requirements in the future. Auditor's Remarks We appreciate the City's commitment to resolve this finding and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during our next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non -Profit Organizations, Section 300, states in part: Washington State Auditor's Office Page 7 The auditee shall: (b) Maintain internal control over Federal programs that provides reasonable assurance that the auditee is managing Federal awards in compliance with laws, regulations, and provisions of contracts or grant agreements that could have a material effect on each of its Federal programs. (c) Comply with laws, regulations, and the provisions of contracts or grant agreements related to each of its Federal programs. Government Auditing Standards, December 2011 Revision, paragraph 4.23 states: 4.23 When performing GAGAS financial audits, auditors should communicate in the report on internal control over financial reporting and compliance, based upon the work performed, (1) significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal control; (2) instances of fraud and noncompliance with provisions of laws or regulations that have a material effect on the audit and any other instances that warrant the attention of those charged with governance; (3) noncompliance with provisions of contracts or grant agreements that has a material effect on the audit; and (4) abuse that has a material effect on the audit. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in its Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, section 935, as follows: .11 For purposes of adapting GAAS to a compliance audit, the following terms have the meanings attributed as follows: Deficiency in internal control over compliance. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance on a timely basis. A deficiency in design exists when (a) a control necessary to meet the control objective is missing, or (b) an existing control is not properly designed so that, even if the control operates as designed, the control objective would not be met. A deficiency in operation exists when a properly designed control does not operate as designed or the person performing the control does not possess the necessary authority or competence to perform the control effectively. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 8 Material weakness in internal control over compliance. A deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance, such that there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with a compliance requirement will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. In this section, a reasonable possibility exists when the likelihood of the event is either reasonably possible or probable as defined as follows: Reasonably possible. The chance of the future event or events occurring is more than remote but less than likely. Remote. The chance of the future event or events occurring is slight. Probable. The future event or events are likely to occur. Significant deficiency in internal control over compliance. A deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance that is less severe than a material weakness in internal control over compliance, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, APPENDIX A TO PART 170 — AWARD TERM, provides, in part: L Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation. Reporting of first-tier subawards. 1. Applicability. Unless you are exempt as provided in paragraph d. of this award term, you must report each action that obligates $25,000 or more in Federal funds that does not include Recovery funds (as defined in section 1512(a)(2) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub. L. 111-5) for a subaward to an entity (see definitions in paragraph e. of this award term). 2. Where and when to report. i. You must report each obligating action described in paragraph a.l. of this award term to http://www.fsrs.gov. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 9 ii. For subaward information, report no later than the end of the month following the month in which the obligation was made. (For example, if the obligation was made on November 7, 2010, the obligation must be reported by no later than December 31, 2010.) U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non -Profit Organizations, Section 300, states in part: Good Faith Effort for Submission Process In the event that applicable subawards/subcontracts were not properly reported by a recipient pursuant to the Transparency Act, auditors should evaluate compliance with these requirements based on whether a recipient demonstrated a "good faith" effort to comply with the submission process. Demonstration of a "good faith" effort by a recipient should be evidenced by proper documentation such as emails or phone logs of communication between a recipient and the awarding agency or GSA; or computer screen shots that illustrate recipient attempts to upload information into FSRS. Auditors are not required to report audit findings when there is evidence that a recipient demonstrated a "good faith" effort to submit the information. However, auditors still are required to report audit findings for non-compliance with the Transparency Act reporting requirements that are not supported by a recipient's demonstrated "good faith" effort or are related to the accuracy of the information being submitted. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 10 11111 uuuuiu loopy 111111111111 111111111111111111 t1 II 11111111 uliiiiiiii111 II1m n III IIIIIII���� II tuuuu l0000l uuuuuuu loo uuuuu uuuuu11 uuuuu 1111 uuuuuuul uuuuu ft ow I lllluuilu flu 001111100100 II�� 1111 uuuououl uuooullluoo 11111111'1111111111 poio uirloy 11111 IIIIIII���� EpIIII IIIIIIIIIlollop000IEpIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 I111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 2014-002 City of Yakima's internal controls over financial statement preparation are inadequate to ensure accurate and complete reporting. Background Council members, state and federal agencies, and the public rely on the information included in the financial statements and reports to make decisions. It is the responsibility of the City to design and follow internal controls that provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting. Government Auditing Standards, prescribed by the Comptroller General of the United States, require the auditor to communicate material weakness as defined below in the Applicable Laws and Regulations section, as a finding. State law requires the City to submit an annual financial report to our Office within 150 days of the fiscal year end. The annual financial report includes financial statements, supporting schedules and notes to the financial statements. Description of Condition We identified the following deficiencies in internal controls that, when taken together, represent a material weakness: • City personnel preparing the financial statements did not correctly apply capital asset reporting requirements using current guidance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). • Although the City independently reviewed the financial statements prepared, the review was not effective or timely to ensure the financial statements were accurate prior to the audit. • The City's process to prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) is not designed to identify federal loans that should be reported on the schedule. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 11 Additionally, the City submitted its financial statements to our office 51 days after the reporting deadline as required by State law. Cause of Condition The City converted to a new general ledger system and experienced turn over in key accounting staff. This prevented management from dedicating the time and resources necessary to ensure the financial statements were presented in accordance with GAAP. Effect of Condition The City's financial statements contained misstatements that were not detected by City staff. Our audit identified the following material errors: • Infrastructure, such as roads and streets, in the amount of $120,174,943 was incorrectly classified as other improvements and utility systems on the Governmental Activities Statement of Net Position. • The streets capital fund incorrectly reported $931,057 as unassigned instead of assigned fund balance. • The City did not report $1,201,673 of expenditures on its 2014 SEFA for the Capitalization Grants for Drinking Water State Revolving Funds, (CFDA 66.468). The City subsequently corrected these errors in the reported financial to statements. Additionally, as the City's financial statements were not submitted by the required deadline, the audit was delayed. Recommendation We recommend City establish ongoing, consistent internal controls over its financial reporting, to include the following: • Establish an effective review process of the financial statements to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting Systems (BARS) reporting requirements. • Ensure all federal activity required to be reported on the SEFA is reported, which includes federal loans. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 12 • Submit financial statements to the State Auditor's office within 150 days after fiscal year-end as required by state law. City's Response The City is aware of its responsibility to maintain internal controls over financial statement preparation and takes pride in producing its annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) that receives unmodified opinions year after year. As noted by the auditors, the City implemented a new financial software system during 2014. The new system allows for considerable flexibility in data reporting. However, that flexibility required that a new financial reporting model be built from scratch. We had to properly map the data and then develop and design appropriate reports. In order to assure that the reports were pulling the correct data, our first step was to recreate the 2013 financial statements using the new mapping and new chart of accounts. This took far more time than originally anticipated because of changes to the mandatory "Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System" (BARS) accounting number structure. While implementing a new system and developing new reports the City was compelled to change its chart of accounts to accommodate the required changes. The Finance division was still understaffed by one professional accountant position throughout most of the year and due to a retirement in 2015 was severely deficient of experienced staff during CAFR preparation. System conversion, specifically capital assets continued through much of 2014 and was not actually completed until early 2015. All of these factors combined to make the 2014 CAFR preparation considerably more difficult and time consuming than was expected or ever had been experienced previously. The timing of the completion of the reporting structure did not allow enough time to adequately review the financial statements before the initial submission to the State Auditor's Office (SAO). The statements were presented to SAO with the provision that we would also still be reviewing them for accuracy and completeness, and indeed our review found the same material errors as noted by SAO. We appreciate the cooperation and flexibility shown to us by the State Auditors who worked on our audit. The team was professional, attentive and very helpful as we worked through this difficult set of circumstances surrounding our 2014 audit. Auditor's Remarks We appreciate the City's commitment to resolve this finding and thank the City for its cooperation and assistance during the audit. We will review the corrective action taken during our next regular audit. Applicable Laws and Regulations Washington State Auditor's Office Page 13 RCW 43.09.200 Local government accounting — Uniform system of accounting, states in part: The state auditor shall formulate, prescribe, and install a system of accounting and reporting for all local governments, which shall be uniform for every public institution, and every public office, and every public account of the same class. Government Auditing Standards, July 2007 Revision - Section 5.11 provides that auditors should report material weaknesses and significant deficiencies in internal control. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Statement on Auditing Standards No. 115 defines significant deficiencies and material weaknesses as follows: a. Significant deficiency: A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. b. Material weakness: A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity's financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis. Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) manual — Accounting, Accounting Principles and General Procedures, Internal Control, states in part: Management and the governing body are responsible for the government's performance, compliance, and financial reporting. Therefore, the adequacy of internal control to provide reasonable assurance of achieving these objectives is also the responsibility of management and the governing body. The governing body has ultimate responsibility for ensuring adequate controls to achieve objectives, even though primary responsibility has been delegated to management. RCW 43.09.230, Local government accounting — Annual reports — Comparative statistics, states: The state auditor shall require from every local government financial reports covering the full period of each fiscal year, in Washington State Auditor's Office Page 14 accordance with the forms and methods prescribed by the state auditor, which shall be uniform for all accounts of the same class. Such reports shall be prepared, certified, and filed with the state auditor within one hundred fifty days after the close of each fiscal year. The reports shall contain accurate statements, in summarized form, of all collections made, or receipts received, by the officers from all sources; all accounts due the public treasury, but not collected; and all expenditures for every purpose, and by what authority authorized; and also: (1) A statement of all costs of ownership and operation, and of all income, of each and every public service industry owned and operated by a local government; (2) a statement of the entire public debt of every local government, to which power has been delegated by the state to create a public debt, showing the purpose for which each item of the debt was created, and the provisions made for the payment thereof; (3) a classified statement of all receipts and expenditures by any public institution; and (4) a statement of all expenditures for labor relations consultants, with the identification of each consultant, compensation, and the terms and conditions of each agreement or arrangement; together with such other information as may be required by the state auditor. The reports shall be certified as to their correctness by the state auditor, the state auditor's deputies, or other person legally authorized to make such certification. Their substance shall be published in an annual volume of comparative statistics at the expense of the state as a public document. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 15 11111 IIIIIIIII 111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111 111111 11111 11111 111111111 II uu00000 Ill III01111 11111I VIII 11111 IIIIIIIIIIIIII uuuu uu IIIIIIII luliku1 11111111111111 1111111 11111111111111 11111111111111111111 11111111111111 111111111 1111111111E1111111111 11111 111111 111111 1111111 11111 �00 uuuuu VIII 11111 1111111111111111 I�IIII VIII �II111II 111111111 City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 This schedule presents the status of findings reported in prior audit periods. The status listed below is the representation of the City of Yakima. The State Auditor's Office has reviewed the status as presented by the City. Audit Period: January 1, 2013 — December 31, 2013 Report Ref. No: 1012690 Finding Ref. No: 2013-001 Finding Caption: The City did not have adequate internal controls in place to ensure accurate reporting of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Background: Our audit identified the following deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting that, when taken together, represent a significant deficiency: • Although the City has procedures to perform a review of the financial statements for accuracy, the review was not adequate to detect and correct errors prior to audit. • The City did not have a clear understanding of the SEFA reporting requirements for its Capitalization Grants for Clean Water State Revolving Funds loans and did not follow guidance provided in the Budget, Accounting and Reporting Standards (BARS) manual or OMB Circular A-133. The City' s SEFA preparation and review process did not take into consideration loans that could potentially be from federal sources and require disclosure on the schedule. As a result, the City did not report $194,672 and $1,393,240 for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan (CFDA 66.468) on the 2012 and 2013 schedules. This error is considered material to the 2013 SEFA and this grant was required to be audited. We identified this error during the subsequent audit. As a result, we have re -issued our 2013 report (originally dated September 25, 2014) to include this federal loan as a major program. Status of Corrective Action: (check one) X Fully • Partially • No Corrective • Finding is considered no Corrected Corrected Action Taken longer valid Washington State Auditor's Office Page 16 Corrective Action Taken: Corrective action has been implemented to train staff to identify federal funding sources even when the source of funds appears to be from the state or other pass through agency. Federal funding consideration has also been added to the debt review process and a "source of funds" column has been added to debt schedules so that even though money is received as "debt proceeds" under state coding 11 will be flagged as federal reimbursement in regular reporting procedures. These procedures will ensure proper SEFA reporting of loan funds in the future. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 17 mon. uuuuiVuoui 100 quuui a 000001000000004I 1111 444"1111 4400 04 'I'll° I0'1 uuu u 00 I 1111 111111111 111111111111111111111' IIIIIVVVm hw 11111111 -.-III IIIIIIIIIIIII 111111 !➢1111111 1111111 1111111111111111111 11111111 woo Id tX®III I 11111111 3lll0 SIIIIIIIIIaI II 1111111101 11I I� I luIII ulill loll1111111111111111111111111 i i uii 1u1 uuiu 1 u1uuuIluil 11uu1 11111 uu11111 ill n 11111111111111III 1111111 uuiil City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 Mayor and City Council City of Yakima Yakima, Washington ��IIIII��IIIII' ��� 0 1 1 II We have audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the City's basic financial statements, and have issued our report thereon dated September 28, 2015. INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the City's internal control over financial reporting (internal control) to determine the audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinions on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the City's internal control. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the City's internal control. Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the preceding paragraph and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and therefore, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that were not identified. However, as described in the accompanying Schedule of Audit Findings and Responses, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 18 A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the City's financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. We consider the deficiencies described in the accompanying Schedule of Audit Findings and Responses as Finding 2014-002 to be material weaknesses. COMPLIANCE AND OTHER MATTERS As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the City's financial statements are free from material misstatement, we performed tests of the City's compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an objective of our audit, and accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests disclosed no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards. CITY'S REPONSE TO FINDINGS The City's response to the findings identified in our audit is described in the accompanying Schedule of Audit Findings and Responses. The City's response was not subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements and, accordingly, we express no opinion on the response. PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the City's internal control or on compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the City's internal control and compliance. Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other purpose. However, Washington State Auditor's Office Page 19 this report is a matter of public record and its distribution is not limited. It also serves to disseminate information to the public as a reporting tool to help citizens assess government operations. JAN M. JUTTE, CPA, CGFM ACTING STATE AUDITOR OLYMPIA, WA September 28, 2015 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 20 11111111 11111 III 1 11 ulp�ul uuuuljlllll ufo'lluo uluuu d J ttl 111111111111 III lNII111,11111 1101111 II �I 111 II"1111111 [1II 1111 i 011 1.11111111111. Vlul.p uu a ,pool 11111111111 IIIS 11111111111111111 11111 11111111 11111 1tuIp�IDtp City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 Mayor and City Council City of Yakima Yakima, Washington REPORT ON COMPLIANCE FOR EACH MAJOR FEDERAL PROGRAM We have audited the compliance of the City of Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, with the types of compliance requirements described in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended December 31, 2014. The City's major federal programs are identified in the accompanying Federal Summary. Management's Responsibility Management is responsible for compliance with the requirements of laws, regulations, contracts and grants applicable to its federal programs. Auditor's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on compliance for each of the City's major federal programs based on our audit of the types of compliance requirements referred to above. We conducted our audit of compliance in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America; the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and OMB Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non -Profit Organizations. Those standards and OMB Circular A-133 require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether noncompliance with the types of compliance requirements referred to above that could have a direct and material effect on a major federal program Washington State Auditor's Office Page 21 occurred. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence about the City's compliance with those requirements and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion on compliance for each major federal program. Our audit does not provide a legal determination on the City's compliance. Opinion on Each Major Federal Program In our opinion, the City complied, in all material respects, with the types of compliance requirements referred to above that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended December 31, 2014. Other Matters The results of our auditing procedures disclosed an instance of noncompliance with those requirements, which is required to be reported in accordance with OMB Circular A-133 and which is described in the accompanying Schedule of Federal Audit Findings and Questioned Costs as Finding 2014-001. Our opinion on each major federal program is not modified with respect to these matters. City's Response to Findings The City's response to the noncompliance findings identified in our audit is described in the accompanying Schedule of Federal Audit Findings and Questioned Costs. The City's response was not subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of compliance and, accordingly, we express no opinion on the response. REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE Management of the City is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over compliance with the types of compliance requirements referred to above. In planning and performing our audit of compliance, we considered the City's internal control over compliance with the types of requirements that could have a direct and material effect on each major federal program in order to determine the auditing procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing an opinion on compliance for each major federal program and to test and report on internal control over compliance in accordance with OMB Circular A-133, but Washington State Auditor's Office Page 22 not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over compliance. Accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the City's internal control over compliance. Our consideration of internal control over compliance was for the limited purpose described in the preceding paragraph and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control over compliance that might be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies and therefore, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that were not identified. However, as discussed below, we identified certain deficiencies in internal control over compliance that we consider to be material weaknesses. A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program on a timely basis. A material weakness in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance, such that there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A significant deficiency in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program that is less severe than a material weakness in internal control over compliance, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance. We consider the deficiencies in internal control over compliance described in the accompanying Schedule of Federal Audit Findings and Questioned Costs as Finding 2014-002 to be a material weakness. City's Response to Findings The City's response to the internal control over compliance findings identified in our audit is described in the accompanying Schedule of Federal Audit Findings and Questioned Costs. The City's response was not subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of compliance and, accordingly, we express no opinion on the response. PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT The purpose of this report on internal control over compliance is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over compliance and the results of that testing based on the requirements of OMB Circular A-133. Accordingly, this report is not suitable for any other Washington State Auditor's Office Page 23 purpose. However, this report is a matter of public record and its distribution is not limited. It also serves to disseminate information to the public as a reporting tool to help citizens assess government operations. JAN M. JUTTE, CPA, CGFM ACTING STATE AUDITOR OLYMPIA, WA September 28, 2015 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 24 uiluuuui II1111 ii iluiuuuilllliuiiiuu uuuiluu 111111111 11:1111 ww 11000 111111 1111111111111 111111 1 111111111111 w ®I 11111 111111 111111111111 111111111 11110 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 11.111 .1111 11111J 0111 City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 Mayor and City Council City of Yakima Yakima, Washington REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Yakima, Yakima County, Washington, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the City's basic financial statements as listed on page 28. Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Auditor's Responsibility Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial Washington State Auditor's Office Page 25 statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the City's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the City's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. Opinion In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business -type activities, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City of Yakima, as of December 31, 2014, and the respective changes in financial position and, where applicable, cash flows thereof, and the respective budgetary comparison for the General and Streets Capital funds, for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Other Matters Required Supplementary Information Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require that the management's discussion and analysis on pages 30 through 44 and pension trust fund information and information on postemployment benefits other than pensions on pages 106 through 108 be presented to supplement the basic financial statements. Such information, although not a part of the basic financial statements, is required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board who considers it to be an essential part of financial reporting for placing the basic financial statements in an appropriate operational, economic or historical context. We have applied certain limited procedures to the required supplementary information in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which consisted of inquiries of management about the methods of preparing the information and comparing the information for consistency with management's responses to our inquiries, the basic financial statements, and other knowledge we obtained during our audit of the basic financial statements. We do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on the information because the limited procedures do not provide us with sufficient evidence to express an opinion or provide any assurance. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 26 Supplementary and Other Information Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively comprise the City's basic financial statements. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards is presented for purposes of additional analysis as required by U.S. Office of Management and Budget Circular A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non -Profit Organizations. This schedule is not a required part of the basic financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial statements. The information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial statements or to the basic financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole. OTHER REPORTING REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT AUDITING STANDARDS In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued our report dated September 28, 2015 on our consideration of the City's internal control over financial reporting and on our tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts and grant agreements and other matters. The purpose of that report is to describe the scope of our testing of internal control over financial reporting and compliance and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on internal control over financial reporting or on compliance. That report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards in considering the City's internal control over financial reporting and compliance. JAN M. JUTTE, CPA, CGFM ACTING STATE AUDITOR OLYMPIA, WA September 28, 2015 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 27 111111111111 111111 IIIIIIIVIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIII 111111 I D Il111111 Ion 1111 llr 0111111111111111 11111111111111111111111 1111111 111111 City of Yakima Yakima County January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Management's Discussion and Analysis — 2014 BASIC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Net Position — 2014 Statement of Activities — 2014 Balance Sheet — Governmental Funds — 2014 Reconciliation of Governmental Funds Balance Sheet to the Statement of Net Position — 2014 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance — Governmental Funds — 2014 Reconciliation of Governmental Funds Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance to the Statement of Activities — 2014 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance — Budget and Actual — General Fund — 2014 Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and Changes in Fund Balance — Budget and Actual — Street Capital Fund — 2014 Statement of Net Position — Proprietary Funds — 2014 Statement of Revenues, Expenses and Changes in Fund Net Position — Proprietary Funds — 2014 Statement of Cash Flows — Proprietary Funds — 2014 Statement of Net Position — Fiduciary Funds — 2014 Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position — Fiduciary Funds — 2014 Notes to Financial Statements — 2014 REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Pension Trust Fund Information and Information on Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions — 2014 Schedule of Funding Progress — Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB) and Pensions — 2014 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 28 SUPPLEMENTARY AND OTHER INFORMATION Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards — 2014 Notes to the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards — 2014 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 29 Washington State Auditor's Office ���ru n prr err lom ��, win 1 iglu %i 7lilli�/� ai i �� �»� %p tial tot #lid ' i III i ° y Mai 't1 tt A City of Yakima Yakima County For the period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 Published December 14, 2015 Report No. 1015784 Washington State Auditor's Office December 14, 2015 Mayor and City Council City of Yakima Yakima, Washington Report on Accountability Thank you for the opportunity to work with you to promote accountability, integrity and openness in government. The State Auditor's Office takes seriously our role of providing state and local governments with assurance and accountability as the independent auditor of public accounts. In this way, we strive to help government work better, cost less, deliver higher value and earn greater public trust. Independent audits provide essential accountability and transparency for City operations. This information is valuable to management, the governing body and public stakeholders when assessing the government's stewardship of public resources. The attached comprises our report on the City's compliance and safeguarding of public resources. Our independent audit report describes the overall results and conclusions for areas we examined. We appreciate the opportunity to work with your staff and we value your cooperation during the audit. Sincerely, TROY KELLEY STATE AUDITOR OLYMPIA, WA Insurance Building, P.O. Box 40021 ❑Olympia, Washington 98504-0021 0(360) 902-0370 TDD Relay (800) 833-6388 t 1111 lollolloolo 1111111111111111 111111111111 101 1111111111uuuuu 1111 mull uuuuilm Illi uiu111 101 l VIII 111111 1111111111111111 11111111 1111 Audit Summary 4 Status Of Prior Audit Findings 5 Related Reports 6 Information About The City 7 About The State Auditor's Office 8 Washington State Auditor's Office Page 3 t Ji.11111111 11111111 11111111 g111i ®1111111 11111 ®1111111 SIN Results in brief In most areas we audited, City operations complied with applicable requirements and provided adequate safeguarding of public resources. The City also complied with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures in the areas we examined. However, we noted certain matters that we communicated to City management in a letter dated December 7, 2015, related to use of credit cards and monitoring of fuel use. We appreciate the City's commitment to resolving those matters. About the audit This report contains the results of our independent accountability audit of the City of Yakima from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Management is responsible for ensuring compliance and adequate safeguarding of public resources from fraud, loss or abuse. This includes the design, implementation and maintenance of internal controls relevant to these objectives. Our audit involved performing procedures to obtain evidence about the City's uses of public resources, compliance with state laws and regulations and its own policies and procedures, and internal controls over such matters. In keeping with general auditing practices, we do not examine every transaction, activity or area. Instead, the areas examined were those representing the highest risk of fraud, loss, abuse, or noncompliance. The following areas were examined during this audit period: • Citizen concerns regarding gifting of public funds and contracts/agreements • Police Department evidence room • Police Department cash receipting and citations • Yakima Consortium For Regional Public Safety • Bid -law compliance • Bus passes • Fuel use • General disbursements • Travel expenditures • Credit card use • Self-insurance programs • Cost allocation plans • Payroll Washington State Auditor's Office Page 4 110 loll 111111111111 11111111111111111 11 oo 18111111 oo op 11111111 1111111111 11111111 1111111111111111 1111 11111111111111 1110 11111111111111111111111111 u � flu Ilhi� uuuuuu� � III flu 1111111 IIS uo� 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 011111111 This schedule presents the status of findings reported in prior audit periods. The status listed below is the representation of the City of Yakima. The State Auditor's Office has reviewed the status as presented by the City. Audit Period: January 1, 2013 — December 31, 2013 Report Ref. No: 1013518 Finding Ref. No: 1 Finding Caption: The City of Yakima's Police Department does not have adequate controls over voided receipts or citations. Background: The Police Department does not have adequate controls over voided cash receipts or voided citations to ensure all revenue is accounted for. Additionally, the Department does not adequately monitor and retain all citations as required by state law. Status of Corrective Action: (check one) No Corrective Taken • No Corrective • Finding is considered no X Fully • Partially • • Finding is considered no Corrected Corrected Action longer valid Corrective Action Taken: The City has implemented internal controls over the cash receipting process at the police department and now reviews to ensure all voided receipts are for valid purposes and are fully supported. Also, the Police Department has implemented a new web based system for issuing citations that automatically ensures all voided citations are reviewed and all citations are retained per state law. Audit Period: January 1, 2013 — December 31, 2013 Report Ref. No: 1013518 Finding Ref. No: 2 Finding Caption: The City does not have adequate internal controls over bus pass revenues. Background: The City's lacks controls to ensure all bus pass receipts are collected and deposited at seven sales locations. Status of Corrective Action: (check one) X Fully • No Corrective • Finding is considered no Partially Corrected •Corrected Action Taken longer valid Corrective Action Taken: The City has implemented a process to compare actual receipts from bus passes sales against the amount of bus passes sold from inventory to ensure all revenue is being collected and deposited. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 5 1111 11 11111111 I I111000N011111111 oloU 1111111111111111111111111111111III Financial IIIIII111111 1111111 111 Our opinion on the City's financial statements and compliance with federal grant program requirements is provided in a separate report, which includes the City's financial statements. That report is available on our website, http://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch. That report includes a finding for a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting regarding improper presentation of capital assets in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting and Reporting Principles and omitting federal loans from the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Federal grant programs We evaluated internal controls and tested compliance with the federal program requirements, as applicable, for the City's major federal programs, which are listed in the Federal Summary section of the separate financial statement and single audit report. That report includes a federal finding regarding control weaknesses and material noncompliance with Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act reporting requirements. That report is available on our website, http://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch. Special investigations We noted certain matters that we communicated to City management in a letter, relating to a loss of public funds. We appreciate the City's commitment to resolving those matters. Other reports During the current audit period, the State Auditor's Office issued a report on agreed-upon procedures performed at the City. That report is available on our website, http://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch. During the current audit period, the State Auditor's Office issued an examination report on the City's management's assertion regarding pensionable wages and contributions reported to the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. That report is available on our website, http://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 6 1111111 11111111 111111111111111 IIIIIII�IIII 1111111111111111111111111 111111111111 110 u1 11011 111111111111 l 11s tib did 111111111 00110111111111111111 IIIIIIIIIo The City of Yakima serves approximately 92,000 citizens in Yakima County. It operates as a first class city under the council-manager form of government. The City Council consists of seven Council Members, four of whom are elected from separate districts and three elected at large. The Council, from within its own membership, chooses the Mayor every two years. The City provides a full range of municipal services. These services include public safety (police, fire, Municipal Court), public improvements (streets, traffic signals, storm sewer), sanitation (solid waste disposal, sewer utility), water utility, community development, parks, recreation, code enforcement and general administrative services. The City has approximately 770 employees. For fiscal year 2014, the City's total budget was approximately $220 million. Contact information related to this report Address: City of Yakima 129 N. Second Avenue Yakima, WA 98901-2720 Contact: Cindy Epperson, Director of Finance and Budget Telephone: (509) 576-6644 Website: www.ci.yakima.wa.us Information current as of report publish date. Audit history You can find current and past audit reports for the City of Yakima at http://portal.sao.wa.gov/ReportSearch. Washington State Auditor's Office Page 7 1111, 1111 111111111111111111111 1111 1111 1111 d�l 010 000 111111 111111111116 I (III 1111 11111111111 111111111111 81111 IIIIIIIII 111111111 VIII 1111111111 0111 111111111111111 10,00000100000000000000 flu 1111 111111111111 11111110 0011111111 u1uu11111111111uuuu uu1uuu 11 11111111 ui o° of (IIIIIIIII III II II II 11111111 u1 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 The State Auditor's Office is established in the state's Constitution and is part of the executive branch of state government. The State Auditor is elected by the citizens of Washington and serves four-year terms. We work with our audit clients and citizens to achieve our vision of government that works for citizens, by helping governments work better, cost less, deliver higher value, and earn greater public trust. In fulfilling our mission to hold state and local governments accountable for the use of public resources, we also hold ourselves accountable by continually improving our audit quality and operational efficiency and developing highly engaged and committed employees. As an elected agency, the State Auditor's Office has the independence necessary to objectively perform audits and investigations. Our audits are designed to comply with professional standards as well as to satisfy the requirements of federal, state, and local laws. Our audits look at financial information and compliance with state, federal and local laws on the part of all local governments, including schools, and all state agencies, including institutions of higher education. In addition, we conduct performance audits of state agencies and local governments as well as fraud, state whistleblower and citizen hotline investigations. The results of our work are widely distributed through a variety of reports, which are available on our website and through our free, electronic subscription service. We take our role as partners in accountability seriously, and provide training and technical assistance to governments, and have an extensive quality assurance program. Contact information for the State Auditor's Office Deputy Director for Communications Thomas Shapley Thomas.Shapley@sao.wa.gov (360) 902-0367 Public Records requests PublicRecords@sao.wa.gov Main telephone (360) 902-0370 Toll-free Citizen Hotline (866) 902-3900 Website www.sao.wa.gov Washington State Auditor's Office Page 8