Utah audit finds issues with state’s control of billions in federal pandemic funds

This file photo shows the Utah State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 20, 2020 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY — A new audit by the Utah Office of the State Auditor found problems with the state’s internal control of federal money during fiscal year 2021, when the state spent $8.6 billion in federal funds amid the pandemic.

“I’m deeply troubled by the massive amount of money the federal government has spent during this year of the COVID pandemic. I hope Utah continues to work to be fiscally prudent. The federal government’s message that it will bail out states, local governments, businesses and individuals whenever a crisis is anticipated, with money the federal government must borrow is irresponsible,” State Auditor John Dougall said in a statement on Wednesday.

Federal funds spent during fiscal year 2021 represented 28.9% of the state’s total $29.78 billion in expenditures, according to Dougall’s office.

One example of inadequate monitoring of coronavirus relief funds, according to auditors, happened as the state distributed nearly $264 million in pass-through funding, which is funding distributed by the state to applicants. Of 47 agreements between the state and other divisions, 17 did not communicate the key federal grant information, auditors wrote.

Read the full story here: KSL News.

Written by ASHLEY IMLAY, KSL.com

Copyright KSL.com.

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