Reports
Displaying 1 - 20 of 57
Ombudsman recommends streamlined enforcement of tour bus safety regulations
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
2023 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2023.
Updated Report
Ombudsman finds Water Bureau overcharged for past returned payment fees, recommends removing such fees going forward
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
City has committed to implementing recommendations from 2023 Ombudsman report on U visas
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
City has not implemented most of Ombudsman’s recommendations on emergency board-ups
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
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Ombudsman recommends Urban Forestry revisit fees and regulations governing certain development permit reviews
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
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.
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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.
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2022 Ombudsman Annual Report
We're your Rose City Watchdog and we're here to make sure City government treats residents and businesses fairly. See what we were up to in 2022.
Report
2022 Fraud Hotline Annual Report
The Auditor’s Office Fraud Hotline provides City employees and members of the public a way to confidentially report suspected fraud, waste, and abuse of position by or against the City.
Report
Fraud Hotline Report: Purchasing problems lead to inefficiency and mistrust
The Auditor’s Office found evidence of inefficiency when investigating a tip about sole source contracting by the Community Safety Division. We shared our findings and recommendations to Community Safety and Procurement Services, which provided guidance and training to the Division.
Report
Ombudsman submits brief on illegal tow and destruction of boat
The purpose of the brief was to provide important additional context on a case being considered by the Hearings Office.
Report
Ombudsman recommends ceasing Water Bureau's "first-caller rule" to Commissioner Mapps
The Ombudsman recommended that the Water Bureau cease the practice of the “first-caller rule,” which allows landlords to commit their renters to pay services without their knowledge or consent.
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
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