View reports across all topics by year
City credit card use slowed during pandemic but exposed underlying risks
New risks for City-issued credit card misuse emerged when employees began working from home due to COVID-19. We asked: How did compliance with rules, management, and card spending change? We found some issues the City should shore up to prevent misuse.
April 2021
Recreational Cannabis Tax: Greater transparency and accountability needed
Portland voters approved a tax on recreational cannabis sales in 2016. Since that time, most of the taxes collected have been used for police and transportation programs. While the uses are allowed under the ballot measure, community members, cannabis businesses, or others impacted by past cannabis policies have not been involved in the overall budget decisions, and the City has not reported on how it’s used the tax revenues.
Highlights | Report | May 2019
Follow-up | October 2020
Utility Payment Assistance: Program improvements would enable City to assist more customers
The Water Bureau has not used customer data to design their payment assistance program. Without data, it is unable to identify disparities, tailor assistance to meet customer needs, focus outreach or measure the impact of assistance. Payment assistance is not available to residents of multifamily housing since most residents of multifamily pay for their water, sewer and stormwater as part of their rent rather than directly to the Water Bureau. We recommend the Water Bureau strengthen payment assistance by collecting and using customer data and improving outreach and training.
Highlights | Report | October 2017
Portland's Financial Condition: Funding infrastructure should be high priority
The financial condition report focuses on the City’s financial trends over five years. The report helps decision makers to visualize the City’s course, to consider options, and make adjustments to improve the City’s long-term financial health. The audit found that Portland’s financial condition is currently stable, but there are long-term challenges to address, such as increased pension liabilities and some assets losing value faster than the City can make repairs.
Highlights | Report | April 2017
City Transaction Testing: Continuous monitoring revealed few issues
We reviewed procurement card transactions to look for prohibited or risky transactions. We did not find anything to indicate fraud, misuse or a general lack of oversight.
Report | August 2016
Further audits about City Finances
Presidential Campaign Visits: The City should follow policy and charge for services - May 31, 2016
Payment Card Data Security: Consumer information is safer - May 11, 2016
Arts Tax: Promises to voters only partly fulfilled - HIGHLIGHTS - July 28, 2015
Arts Tax: Promises to voters only partly fulfilled - July 28, 2015
City Procurement: Contracting process needs Council intervention - June 24, 2015
City Budget Process: Timing, roles, and decision-making need improvement - February 11, 2015
City Financial Transactions: Issues warrant management attention - September 26, 2012