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Audit Update: The Fire Bureau has taken steps to improve its accountability system; Human Resources made one improvement to its investigation guidelines, but disagrees others are necessary

This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report, "Fire & Rescue does not have a coherent accountability system," that recommended Fire set clear expectations for work requirements and employee conduct, and Human Resources improve guidance and monitoring of complaints, investigations, and discipline

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Portland Fire & Rescue: 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.

Report


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.

Report


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


Audit Update: Momentous move by Council to consolidate permitting as City reforms continue

This is a two-year follow-up to our 2021 report, Building Permit Audit: Long-standing inability to meet customers’ needs won’t improve without better management, sustained governance.

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Audit Update: The Office of Management and Finance has addressed most City credit card risks; purchase of gift cards prohibited until City policy is in place

This is a two-year follow-up to our 2021 report, City credit card use slowed during pandemic but exposes underlying risks.

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Audit Update: Council’s legislative changes helped the Portland Clean Energy Fund put management systems in place

This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report Portland Clean Energy Fund: Additional steps needed to implement voter-approved program.

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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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Audit Update: Bureaus have taken initial steps to address challenges in maintaining the City’s sewers, but have not re-evaluated their overall agreement

This is a one-year follow-up to our 2021 report Sewer Maintenance: Renewed attention to partnership needed to better serve ratepayers.

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Audit Services Update: Police made some progress to strengthen intelligence gathering policies, but other management improvements remain

This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report Police Intelligence-Gathering and Surveillance: Better management needed to protect civil rights.

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Audit Update: No progress on Citywide collection strategies; some improvements by individual bureaus

This is a one-year follow-up to our 2022 report: Taxes, fines, and fees: Customers who owe caught in a maze of inconsistent and uncoordinated collection strategies.

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Fraud Hotline Update: Joint Office of Homeless Services contract managers have more training and tools, but some role conflicts have not been addressed

Contract managers receive more training and guidance, but the Joint Office does not plan to separate duties as recommended.

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Fraud Hotline Update: New Fire Bureau compensation package allows use of City water to wash personal vehicles, but risk of perceived waste and disregard for resource conservation remains

Some progress made, but Fire Bureau changed rules to allow washing personal vehicles with City water despite Auditor’s finding of government waste.

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Gang Enforcement Audits Update: Police Bureau has improved patrol activities, but still needs a policy for using gang information

Since our 2018 audits on the Police Bureau's Gang Enforcement Team, the Police Bureau has formed new units. This follow-up on our 2018 recommendations found the Bureau has improved patrol activities, but still needs a policy for using gang information.

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Audit Services Update: Emergency Management has made some progress toward improving emergency planning and response for people with disabilities


This is a one-year follow-up to our 2021 audit of Portland Bureau of Emergency Management, in which we made seven recommendations to improve the City’s emergency planning and response for people with disabilities.

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Audit Services Update: Office of Equity & Human Rights has made progress on ensuring Americans with Disabilities Act compliance

This is a one-year follow-up to our 2021 report that called attention to compliance risks related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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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


Audit Update: Little progress on City review of Enhanced Services Districts

This is the two-year follow-up to our 2020 report Enhanced Services Districts: City provides little oversight of privately funded public services

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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