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Reports

Audit Services News Menu
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Parks Fiscal Management: Systemwide goals and sustainability strategies needed to ensure parks for future generations

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.

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2024 Audit Impact Report: Prioritization needed to implement outstanding audit recommendations

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.

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Asset Management: Strategic and coordinated approach needed to take on City’s long-standing issues

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.

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2023 Audit Impact Report: Leadership on coordination, prioritization, and decision-making most needed to implement recommendations by service area

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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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.

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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


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


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.

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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.

Updated Report


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


Portland Fire & Rescue does not have a coherent accountability system

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.

Report


Police Intelligence-Gathering and Surveillance: Better management needed to protect civil rights

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.

Report


Portland Clean Energy Fund: Additional steps needed to implement voter-approved program

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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Auditor's 2021 Accountability Report

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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Taxes, fines, and fees: Customers who owe caught in maze of inconsistent and uncoordinated collection strategies

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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2022 Fraud Hotline Annual Report Tip Details

This is a detailed list of Fraud Hotline tips received and pending in 2022.

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Emergency Management: Pandemic highlights City’s long-standing neglect of people with disabilities

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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Sewer Maintenance: Renewed attention to partnership needed to better serve ratepayers

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 Emergency Grants: Standards needed to ensure program integrity

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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