In order to correct a misuse of public, educational and government access channel funds, Missouri City City Council approved a budget amendment at its Jan. 4 meeting to transfer $500,000 from the general fund to the PEG fund account. This transfer was necessary to correct expenses incorrectly paid for out of the PEG fund, according to city officials.
An internal control review conducted by public accounting firm BDO found some PEG funds—which are to be spent on capital expenditures, as dictated in federal statute—were instead spent on operational expenses.
“Properly identifying allowable costs for PEG funds is a common issue of many jurisdictions,” said Allena Portis, Missouri City’s director of financial services. “The interpretation of allowable issues of these funds have varied throughout the years with the different administrations within the city. Despite the varying interpretations, the budgets for PEG funds have always gone through the typical budgetary process, including presentation of the city manager’s proposed budget and approval by City Council.”