We are monitoring recommendations that apply to 19 different city bureaus and to all city commissioners. This report includes recommendation status as of December 31, 2022.
Summary
The Archives, Chief Administrative Officer, and Prosper Portland topped the list of percentage of recommendations implemented with 100, 80, and 73 percent. For the second year, the Parks and Recreation Bureau topped the list of not implemented recommendations with 50 percent. These were related to the recreation program scholarship audit.
The Bureaus assigned to Ted Wheeler implemented the highest percentage of recommendations: 55 percent. Bureaus assigned to Carmen Rubio had the highest percentage of not implemented recommendations: 21 percent. These were all related to recommendations made to the Parks and Recreation Bureau from the recreation program scholarship audit. Bureau assignments below reflect assignments as of the end of 2022, since then, the Mayor has reassigned bureaus to align with common service areas.
Bureaus assigned to Mayor Wheeler had the highest percentage of implemented recommendations.
In 2022 we produced four new audits:
- Collection of Taxes, Fines, and Fees
- Portland Clean Energy Fund
- Police Intelligence Gathering
- Portland Fire and Rescue Accountability System
We’ll follow up on recommendations for those audits starting in 2023.
Archives
We are tracking one Archives and Records Management audit: Data Loss Prevention. The audit focused on Bureau of Human Resources practices but made two recommendations to Archives because some Human Resources records are archived. Archives implemented our recommendation to monitor user permissions immediately after the audit. In 2021, Archives implemented our second recommendation to promptly test and apply updates.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Archives
Chief Administrator
We are tracking four audits that made 20 recommendations to the Chief Administrative Officer. Two audits addressed the renovation of the Portland Building, one involved homeless camp cleanups, and one assessed City-issued credit card use. Most of the recommendations are internally focused and suggest procedures to tighten up construction and credit card use monitoring. However, the homeless camp clean-up recommendations involve a high priority issue of public concern. The Chief Administrative Officer has implemented 16 recommendations, one is in process, and three are not implemented.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about the Chief Administrative Officer
Community and Civic Life
We are tracking two audits within the Office of Community and Civic life related to the City’s new Cannabis Program. The audits made five recommendations to Civic Life to improve regulation of the cannabis industry and the allocation of cannabis tax funds. We reported in 2020 that Civic Life had implemented our recommendation to work with City Council to improve transparency and accountability in the allocation of cannabis tax funds. Civic Life has implemented three recommendations, and two are in process.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Community and Civic Life
Development Services
We are tracking two audit reports and eight recommendations within the Bureau of Development Services. The reports assessed short-term rental regulation and the building permits system. Development Services has seven recommendations in process, and one is not implemented.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Development Services
Emergency Management
We are tracking one audit that made seven recommendations to Emergency Management. The audit was about disaster planning for people with disabilities. All seven recommendations are pending follow-up.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Emergency Management
Environmental Services
We are tracking three reports and 17 recommendations at Environmental Services. Our 2018 audits of stormwater management on private property and green infrastructure found that improved data administration and program evaluation would bring these assets to the same standard as more traditional infrastructure assets. An audit in 2021 focused on the Bureau's arrangement with the Transportation Bureau to maintain sewer systems. Environmental Services has implemented four recommendations, 10 are in process, and three are pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Environmental Services
Equity and Human Rights
We are tracking two audits and three recommendations at the Equity and Human Rights Office. One audit was about implementation of requirements in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the other was about preparation for emergencies. The Office has implemented two recommendations, one is in process, and one is pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Equity and Human Rights
Fire
We are tracking one audit that made nine recommendations to the Fire Bureau. All nine recommendations are pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Fire
Housing
We are tracking three audits that made six recommendations to the Portland Housing Bureau. The audits assessed short-term rental regulation, the housing bond, and urban renewal in the Lents neighborhood. We reported in 2020 that Housing implemented our recommendation to provide specific information about the underlying rationale for housing bond decisions. Housing has implemented two recommendations, three are in process, and one is not implemented.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Housing
Human Resources
We are tracking two audits that made nine recommendations to Human Resources. Our 2018 data loss prevention audit made seven recommendations to the Bureau of Human Resources. A second audit was about Human Resources' role in increasing accountability in the Fire Bureau. Human Resources has implemented six recommendations, one is in process, and two are pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Human Resources
Parks and Recreation
We are tracking two audits and eight recommendations at the Parks Bureau. Audit topics include need-based financial aid for recreation programs and the financial stability of the golf program. Parks and Recreation has implemented two recommendations, two are in process, and four are not implemented. The Bureau did not implement any of the recommendations related to financial aid due to budget constraints. The Bureau should work with City Council to reconsider these recommendations which will increase access to recreation programs.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Parks and Recreation
Planning and Sustainability
We are tracking one audit that made six recommendations to Planning and Sustainability. All six recommendations are pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Planning and Sustainability
Police
We are tracking five audits and 36 recommendations at the Police Bureau. Two reports are related to the former Gang Enforcement Team, one is related to training, one is related to overtime, and one is related to intelligence gathering. The Police Bureau has implemented 16 recommendations, 15 are in process, and five are pending. The Bureau disbanded the Gang Team but is developing a successor program to investigate and proactively interrupt gun crimes and the recommendations still apply.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Police
Prosper Portland
We are tracking three audit reports and 11 recommendations within Prosper Portland. The audits assessed property management practices, urban renewal in the Lents neighborhood, and pandemic relief grants for small business. Prosper Portland has implemented eight recommendations, and three are in process.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Prosper Portland
Regional Arts and Culture Council
We are tracking one audit that made five recommendations to Regional Arts and Culture Commission. One recommendation has been implemented, and four are in process.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about the Regional Arts and Culture Council
Revenue and Financial Services
We are tracking six audits that made 32 recommendations to the Bureau of Revenue and Financial Services. The audits assessed risk management, short-term rental regulation, Enhanced Service Districts, contracting equity programs, use of purchase cards, and collections. The Bureau has implemented 11 recommendations, 14 are in process, five are not implemented, and two are pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Revenue and Financial Services
Technology Services
We are tracking one Technology Services audit, Data Loss Prevention, with 18 recommendations. The audit focused on practices used by Human Resources but included Technology Services because it is responsible for managing some aspects of data maintenance. We are keeping details about “in process” recommendations confidential because of the sensitivity of information about potential computer or system weaknesses. These sensitive details are exempt in state law from public disclosure. Technology Services has implemented 12 recommendations, four are in process, and two are not implemented.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Technology Services
Transportation
We are tracking four reports and 21 recommendations at the Transportation Bureau. Report topics include regulation of transportation network companies (such as Uber and Lyft), consideration of neighborhood impacts when planning for transportation projects, implementation of accountability commitments for projects funded by the City gas tax and heavy vehicle tax, and the partnership with the Environmental Services Bureau to maintain sewer infrastructure. The Bureau has implemented 11 recommendations, three are in process, three are not implemented, and four are pending.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Transportation
Water
We are tracking one audit within the Portland Water Bureau. Our 2020 audit of groundwater management recommended that Water formalize the groundwater program’s decision-making roles and organizational structure and develop a long-term plan to prioritize groundwater system needs. The Bureau has implemented one recommendation, and one is in process.
► View details from specific audits and recommendations about Water
Translated reports
Most reports are available in four languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Russian. We are translating new reports as they’re released, but older reports may not be available in a language other than English. If you would like to request a translated version of a report, please contact KC Jones.