Martin Luther King Jr. Day closure
Most City of Portland offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Ombudsman investigation finds predatory towing harmed residents of low-income housing complexes
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
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
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
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for ARA 6.01 Ombudsman’s Office Policies & Procedures | March 2024
The City Auditor’s Office proposes updates to this administrative rule, which is available for public comment for thirty days before adoption.
Public notice
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
Vessels at Public Docks Unlawfully Seized and Destroyed
City conduct resulted in unlawful seizure and destruction of Portlanders’ vessels. City should follow proper procedures to better protect vulnerable Portlanders.
Report
Protecting Undocumented Victims of Crime
The Portland Police Bureau failed to live up to its responsibilities in handling U visas, which are designed to protect undocumented victims of crime. The City should act with urgency to remedy past harm and make programmatic changes to ensure problems do not resurface.
Report
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
Portland City Auditor hires new Ombudsman
The City Auditor’s Office announced today that Jennifer Croft has been selected to serve as the new City Ombudsman.
Public notice
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
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.
Report
City’s reliance on complaints for property maintenance enforcement disproportionately affects diverse and gentrifying neighborhoods
Data backup Portlanders’ objections to unfair treatment by the City’s property maintenance enforcement system. The City should act with urgency to break with the system’s racist past and engage community members it disproportionately burdens for their ideas to fix it.
Report
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