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Elizabeth Dunbar
ST. PAUL, Minn.

Audit finds a few problems with Historical Society Legacy grants

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Some Legacy Amendment grants administered by the Minnesota Historical Society did not follow all policies and procedures, according to an audit released Thursday.

The report by the Minnesota Legislative Auditor said the society's internal controls were generally adequate.

The problems it cited included not ensuring recipients of Legacy grants waited until the grants were fully executed to start work. In one case, a grant recipient started work 119 days before the contract was fully executed.

The audit also found that not all of the larger Legacy grants were peer reviewed, as required by the society's own policy.

In a letter accompanying the audit report, Minnesota Historical Society Director Stephen Elliott said officials will clarify its policies about when recipients can begin their work.

Elliott said the society's practice is to peer review grants over $100,000, even though its policy is to peer review grants over $50,000. The society will change its policy to peer review grants over $100,000, Elliott said. He noted that the Minnesota Office of Grants Management does not require peer review.

Other audits on the agencies that oversee the Legacy arts funds are expected in the coming months. That includes a report on money Minnesota Public Radio receives.

• Follow Elizabeth Dunbar on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/edunbarmpr