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Vision Zero: Portland Bureau of Transportation needs to systematically evaluate whether its safety projects reduce traffic deaths and serious injury crashes
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
2023 Audit Impact Report: Opportunities to coordinate services and improve equity of City government as it transitions
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
Technology Purchasing: Citywide strategy and guidance needed to address problems
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
Audit Report: Inclusionary Housing: Housing Bureau should improve Program goals, support for property owners, and monitoring to ensure Program helps address housing crisis
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
Audit Report: Joint Office of Homeless Services: Sustained focus on shelter system needed to address unmet needs
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
Adoption of Administrative Rules 6.01 Ombudsman’s Office Policies & Procedures and 10.01 Fraud Hotline | April 2024
The City Auditor’s Office has adopted new administrative rules effective April 10, 2024.
Public notice
Help us choose what to audit!
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
Fraud Hotline Report: Civic Life’s mismanagement of the Kenton Firehouse was wasteful and inefficient
The Auditor's Office found evidence of waste and inefficiency due to the lack of a formal agreement and Civic Life bypassing City financial policies in the management of the Kenton Firehouse. Auditors also found that the lack of documented rental transactions risked the appearance of fraud.
Report
Audit Update: The Fire Bureau has taken steps to improve its accountability system; Human Resources made one improvement to its investigation guidelines, but disagrees others are necessary
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
Audit Report: Portland Fire & Rescue's Community Health Division programs need guidance and leadership to provide Portlanders with the services they need and reduce demands on firefighters
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.
Report
Fraud Hotline Report: City’s repeated installation of curb ramps was inefficient and wasteful
The Auditor’s Office found evidence of waste and inefficiency in project management stemming from unclear responsibilities and miscommunication throughout a curb replacement project.
Report
Audit Update: Momentous move by Council to consolidate permitting as City reforms continue
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
Audit Update: The Office of Management and Finance has addressed most City credit card risks; purchase of gift cards prohibited until City policy is in place
This is a two-year follow-up to our 2021 report, City credit card use slowed during pandemic but exposes underlying risks.
News article
Audit Update: Council’s legislative changes helped the Portland Clean Energy Fund put management systems in place
This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report Portland Clean Energy Fund: Additional steps needed to implement voter-approved program.
News article
Portland Bureau of Transportation: Process in place to ensure capital projects meet specifications, but there were ways around it
Transportation had a formal process to document inspections before making payments, but staff were able to work around steps. Supervisors didn’t have procedures to identify allowable exceptions. We make recommendations to ensure staff follow the process and that supervisors are aware of exceptions.
Report
Fraud Hotline Report: Tips about Transportation manager alleged government waste and abuse
The Auditor’s Office found evidence of waste and abuse when investigating tips about vehicle use and outside employment in the Transportation Bureau. We shared our findings and recommendations with the Transportation Bureau.
Report
Audit Update: Bureaus have taken initial steps to address challenges in maintaining the City’s sewers, but have not re-evaluated their overall agreement
This is a one-year follow-up to our 2021 report Sewer Maintenance: Renewed attention to partnership needed to better serve ratepayers.
News article
Audit Services Update: Police made some progress to strengthen intelligence gathering policies, but other management improvements remain
This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report Police Intelligence-Gathering and Surveillance: Better management needed to protect civil rights.
News article
Audit Update: No progress on Citywide collection strategies; some improvements by individual bureaus
This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report: Taxes, fines, and fees: Customers who owe caught in a maze of inconsistent and uncoordinated collection strategies.
News article
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