Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program, including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes, bias incidents, discrimination, and violations of Oregon's sanctuary laws.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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We found that the Portland Fire Bureau has not invested the time, attention, and resources needed for a coherent employee accountability system. We make recommendations for training and complaint, investigation, and discipline processes to help ensure that the Bureau achieves its diversity goals.
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Keeping information about political activity and using surveillance technology without safeguards infringes on First Amendment rights. Police need direction about what to collect and a process to manage records when there is no criminal activity. The Bureau also needs improved technology policies.
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Voters approved a tax to create the Portland Clean Energy Fund in 2018 as an ambitious way to tackle climate change and social inequities. This audit found that the program began putting management systems in place but other elements were not yet implemented or needed direction from City Council.
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The Auditor’s Office conducts independent assessments of Portland government, impartial investigations of community members’ complaints, and provides a variety of services that make the City more accessible. This report highlights the breadth and depth our work in 2021.
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The City’s decentralized way of collecting taxes, fines, and fees requires Portlanders to navigate different approaches that may cause harm, especially to people with limited English proficiency or means. We recommend improvements to this disjointed experience for City residents and businesses.
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This is a detailed list of Fraud Hotline tips received and pending in 2022.
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Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City is required to provide equal access to all services, including emergency services. We found that the City was not prepared to meet the needs of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic much less a more physically destructive emergency.
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Wastewater goes through pipes owned by the Bureau of Environmental Services but the bureau pays another - the Bureau of Transportation - to maintain these pipes. This longstanding agreement has had mixed results. We make recommendations for both bureaus in our audit report.
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Prosper Portland’s Small Business Relief Fund provided a lifeline during the early days of the pandemic. Staff successfully delivered dollars to struggling businesses but in haste, short-changed program integrity. We make recommendations for building a stronger program the next time disaster strikes
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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.
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Getting a building permit in Portland can be a frustratingly slow process. Delays can affect the economy and motivate property owners to skirt the permitting system altogether. Our audit recommends ways to address persistent problems as the City strives for economic recovery from COVID-19.
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We have decided to discontinue this audit because CityFleet’s ongoing strategic planning process may address some of the reasons we originally initiated it.
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