Audit Reveals Non-Compliance with Federal Requirements

An audit of Whatcom County's administration of a federally funded improvement project found that the county failed to verify that the selected contractor was not debarred from doing business under federally assisted projects. The county also failed to obtain and monitor weekly certified payroll reports from the contractor to ensure payment of prevailing wages under the Davis-Bacon Act.

The county, located in the State of Washington, spent $154,962 of a federal grant under the Help America Vote Act to remodel its election facilities. At the time the project was bid, the federal grant had not yet been awarded, and once it was awarded, the county was simply not aware of their responsibilities to check for debarment and obtain payroll reports.

To read the complete audit report from the Washington State Auditor's Office, click here.