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Bureau of Emergency Communications’ efforts to recruit, hire, and train employees helped address the Bureau’s staffing crisis and reduce 911 wait times. We make recommendations to help improve training timelines, increase trainee retention, and reduce resistance to training program changes.
Report
This page commemorates the 40th anniversary of performance auditing at the City Auditor's Office in Portland. A timeline of the Auditor's history, dating back to the position's establishment in 1864, shows the evolving duties and independence of the Auditor in Portland's government.
Press release
The Arts Tax has expanded arts education and supports arts organizations, but the City has not consistently delivered on promises to voters. We recommend the City improve education coordination, maximize grant funds, ensure grants advance program goals, and enhance oversight.
Report
The City has committed to climate justice, but work remains to make climate actions more effective. Our audit recommends City leadership provide clearer internal direction, develop strategies for climate adaptation and community engagement, and increase transparency to follow through on commitments.
Report
Parks does not have enough resources for its existing programs and maintenance obligations. However, it continues to invest in new assets. Our audit recommends that Parks integrate new investment decisions with existing maintenance obligations and clearly communicate fiscal strategies.
Report
While the City has yet to implement over half of our audit recommendations, the implementation rate did increase over last year. We found that leadership was challenged with prioritization in getting outstanding recommendations implemented.
Report
City Auditor Simone Rede released the list of audits her Office plans to begin or complete in the coming fiscal year. Special thanks to the community members, City employees and City officials who shared audit topic ideas.
Press release
Community members and City employees can help shape our audit priorities for the coming year.
Blog post
For years, the City has underinvested in maintaining its aging assets. Now, it is facing a backlog of costly and urgent needs that it lacks the funding to meet. Our audit recommends that the new form of government take a more strategic approach to developing the infrastructure for infrastructure.
Report
Overall, the City implemented under half of our audit recommendations as of 2023, below the average of other comparable cities. Implementation across service areas ranged from zero to 88 percent. Service areas need leadership on coordination, prioritization, and decision-making to make progress.
Report
Our audit of Vision Zero found rising fatal crashes despite the plan’s focus on traffic safety. The audit calls on the Transportation Bureau to evaluate completed projects to ensure they reduce deaths and injuries and result in equitable outcomes. Data-driven strategies are needed for safer streets.
Report
The City implemented under half of our audit recommendations as of 2023, below the average of other comparable cities. Portlanders need bold leadership, with a focus on coordination, for the City to make progress on recommendations not yet implemented and to continue to improve equity of services.
Report
We reviewed seven technology purchases and found Technology Services was reactive in coordinating technology purchases. This resulted in inefficiencies and delays. Centralized accountability and guidance are needed for bureaus if the City is to meet strategic goals for purchasing and equity.
Report
The Inclusionary Housing Program requires developers to include affordable homes in some new buildings. We examined the Program and if it helped property owners follow the rules. The Housing Bureau should improve the goals, property owner support, and monitoring so the Program works as intended.
Updated Report
Our audit found that the adult and family shelters funded by the Joint Office of Homeless Services were generally full and had long waitlists, could be difficult to access, and only sometimes helped participants move to permanent housing.
Report
Every year, we pick about five areas of the City of Portland to audit. We'd love to hear your ideas on how we can make Portland work better for everyone.
News article
Our audit identified gaps in the Fire Bureau’s management of the Community Health Division, worsened by an inconsistent commitment to its programs. We make recommendations to articulate goals, plans, and monitor its programs to best serve Portlanders and offset demands on traditional fire crews.
Updated Report
This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report, "Fire & Rescue does not have a coherent accountability system," that recommended Fire set clear expectations for work requirements and employee conduct, and Human Resources improve guidance and monitoring of complaints, investigations, and discipline
News article
This is a two-year follow-up to our 2021 report, Building Permit Audit: Long-standing inability to meet customers’ needs won’t improve without better management, sustained governance.
News article
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