RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) -- An audit released by the Office of the State Auditor found the North Carolina Department of Public Safety did not have procedures in place to ensure that Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Funds were properly in place. The report from State Auditor Jessica Holmes said the department's failure to do so resulted in an increased risk that recipients could have misused funds without the misuse being detected and corrected timely. In Oct. 2018, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Hurricane FlorenceEmergency Response Act establishing the Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Fund. Dollars in this fund were meant to provide the necessary and appropriate relief and assistance from the effects of Hurricane Florence. North Carolina lawmakers vote to override veto of controversial relief bill which weakens powers of NC’s governor, among others A previous audit, published in April 2022, found that during the period Nov. 1, 2018,through Jan. 31, 2021, DPS distributed: $502 million of Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Funds to recipients with limited monitoring. $783 million of Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Funds without ensuring all recipients had a method to measure the results. This latest report found that during the period Feb. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023, DPS distributed: $18 million of Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Funds to external recipients with limited monitoring. $94 million of Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Funds without ensuring all recipients had a method to measure the results. Holmes' report made three recommendations to DPS. They recommended the department should monitor external recipients’ Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Fund spending timely to ensure funds are spent in accordance with the law. It also recommends DPS should develop policies and procedures to ensure all recipients have objectives for what they would do with any future disaster funds, and measure their progress towards meeting their objectives. The report also recommended the General Assembly consider including monitoring requirements in future legislation regarding disaster recovery or other emergency relief funds. In their response to the report, DPS disagreed with the findings saying they were not specifically included in the legislation as "administering" the funds to external entities. DPS also argued they use a 'Scope of Work' document where recipients explain how they will use the money. DPS said recipients are also required to provide quarterly progress reports. The department said they were limited in withholding or providing oversight for emergency funds.