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Audit Bureau Releases Federal Funds Audit
There are certain to be questions at the Wisconsin Capitol about a recent audit into the state’s federal spending that identified problems with five state agencies, and nine major programs.
The Legislative Audit Bureau released its federal funds audit last week.
“[This report] focused on 25 federal programs that accounted for 68.7% of the federal financial assistance administered by state agencies in fiscal year (FY) 2023-24,” the auditors wrote.
In all, the report explains that Wisconsin handled $18.6 million in federal dollars in the 2023-2024 budget year.
More than half of that, $10.3 billion went to the state’s Department of Health Services. And $2.2 billion went to the Department of Public Instruction, the University of Wisconsin got $1.9 billion, and the state’’s Department of Transportation got $1.1 billion. The rest was split between the various state agencies.
“We identified six findings related to [federal transparency] reporting involving 9 of the 25 major programs audited at five state agencies: DOA, DCF, DHS, DPI, and UW-Madison,” the audit states.
Auditors said they had questions about how $36 million of that federal money was spent. They also made 101 recommendations to various state agencies about spending, record-keeping, and transparency.
"The auditors’ more than 100 recommendations demonstrate a clear need for improvement by many of our state agencies. This report will help us ensure taxpayer funding – both state and federal – is better accounted for by each agency,” Sen Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto, said.
Rep. Bob Wittke, R-Caledonia, said he wants some answers about what the auditors found.
“I’m disturbed by the ongoing material weaknesses for improper, or no reporting by state agencies to the federal government,” Wittke said. “Monitoring where funds are sent and spent is a non-negotiable requirement – too many state agencies aren’t living up to the standards. We will continue to dig into these findings.”
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