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We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2024.
Report
A recent hotline investigation found inefficiency and waste in the City’s failure to award grants from Portland International Raceway–North Portland Trust Fund. The City has not awarded grants from the Fund since 2020.
Report
The City has taken steps to address the inequitable impacts of property maintenance enforcement, but the complaint-based system continues to harm vulnerable homeowners.
Report
The Auditor’s Office found evidence of waste and inefficiency in Civic Life’s handling of a grant non-compliance issue and the City’s grant management. Civic Life spent more money than intended and disregarded City policy and the City did not foster communication between bureaus.
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
An Ombudsman investigation found that predatory towing at a cluster of low-income apartment complexes in the Cully neighborhood caused significant financial and emotional injuries to vulnerable, mostly Latino community members.
Report
An Ombudsman review found that numerous tour companies do not comply with City regulations designed to ensure public safety. We recommended the Bureau of Transportation streamline enforcement to bring unpermitted companies into compliance.
Report
We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2023.
Updated Report
After a complaint, the Ombudsman investigated the Water Bureau’s practice of charging fees for returned payments. The Ombudsman recommended the Bureau notify customers impacted by a past overcharge that they are entitled to a refund, and that the Bureau remove returned payment fees going forward.
Report
We have reviewed the status of the four recommendations from our report and found that the Police Bureau has committed to implementing them. One recommendation has been partly implemented and three are in progress.
Report
In July 2023, the Ombudsman's Office released a report that highlighted evidence of misconduct by the City’s emergency board-up contractor and pointed to gaps in the City’s oversight of the contract. On May 20, 2024, the Ombudsman sent a follow-up letter to Community Safety Division Director Myers.
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
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
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
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
After a complaint, the Ombudsman investigated how Urban Forestry reviews some development permits for compliance with street tree planting standards. In December, the Ombudsman sent a memo to Parks Director Adena Long identifying concerns with the review fee and the clarity of City Code provisions.
Report
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