A routine audit of the City of New Iberia by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found 11 issues, most of which were related to compliance findings and deficiencies in internal controls over federal programs under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Treasury.

According to the LLA, the findings included failure to disburse Louisiana Community Development Block Grant funds in a timely manner and failure to have a separate bank account for CDBG fund deposits.

The findings also included unallowable use of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and improper procurement procedures related to Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the basis for the auditor to express an adverse opinion on Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Additionally, the auditor found the City failed to comply with the bond requirements of its debt obligations, failed to comply with the Local Government Budget Act in adopting its fiscal year 2023 budget, and had inadequate controls over the preparation of its financial statements.

According to Mayor Freddie DeCourt, the issues stem from procedural missteps, not budgetary problems.

“All the issues are with the finance office procedures, it’s not a money issue,” he said. “I’m in the process of breaking down all the issues because I’m not going to let them break me.”

DeCourt said he plans to identify where the miscommunication occurred and where changes can be made to reduce problems in the future.  

Read the full audit report here: