COLUMBUS — For the second year in a row, a state audit has found problems with how Collins Career Center spent grant money.

State and federal regulations require grant funds to be used for specific purposes and within a specific period of time. But, an audit examining the period between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006, released Thursday by Auditor of State Mary Taylor showed that the vocational school spent $65,716 in grant money for items that were not approved by the Department of Education.

Also, the audit stated that more than $19,000 in grant money was spent outside the time frame defined by grant regulations.

“In order to ensure the future security of these funds, the money must be spent in accordance with grant requirements,” Taylor said.

The audit report recommends district officials consult with ODE to determine how much of the grant money, if any, should be repaid.

The state auditor said CCC officials “have take taken steps to prevent a recurrence of this situation and their actions should be commended.”

The problems found in the latest CCC audit mirror those found during an audit report released last summer. At that time, the school was found to have inadequate documentation for its use of grant money. It was also found that the school did not use its federal money in the time frame allotted, similar to this year’s audit.

CCC Superintendent Dodgion could not be reached for comment.