News

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.

August 23, 2023 12:01 am Report

Emergency Board-ups

Lack of oversight leads to contractor wrongfully charging Portlanders

July 26, 2023 12:01 am 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. 

June 20, 2023 9:23 am Report

"What do Portlanders most complain about? City releases report of top complaints received in 2022"

Article and video from KGW 8. May 22, 2023.

Updated May 22, 2023 6:33 pm News article

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.

May 18, 2023 12:00 am Report

A Boat Tow Gone Wrong on a City Dock Cost Travis Nagels His Home and Taxpayers $10,000

Article from Willamette Week. February 01, 2023

Updated February 17, 2023 12:01 pm News article

Multnomah County, Metro to waive fines for those who failed to pay new homeless services, preschool taxes

Article from The Oregonian. February 14, 2023

Updated February 15, 2023 3:48 pm News article

Ombudsman recommends Revenue Division take uniform approach to waiving penalties for delinquent taxpayers

February 13, 2023 2:00 pm Report

"A waiver, not a punch in the face, for Portland taxpayers: Steve Duin column"

Article from The Oregonian. February 11, 2023.

Updated February 11, 2023 2:46 pm News article

"Portland watchdog says city should waive fines for those who failed to pay new homeless services, preschool taxes"

Article from The Oregonian. February 3, 2023.

Updated February 7, 2023 11:34 am News article

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.

December 15, 2022 8:00 am 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.

November 17, 2022 9:00 am 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.

November 9, 2022 9:00 am 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.

February 15, 2022 12:00 am 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.

November 3, 2021 8:10 am Report

Auditor's 2020 Accountability Report

The Auditor’s Office is Portlanders’ independent agency responsible for providing oversight of City government. This Accountability Report, covering the year 2020, shows the breadth, depth and impact of our work.

February 8, 2021 2:50 pm Report

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking | January 2021

Portland City Charter Section 2-506(a) authorizes the City Auditor to establish rules for the Auditor’s Office. In addition, Code Section 3.77.110 H. authorizes the Ombudsman to adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations required for the discharge of the Ombudsman's duties.

January 25, 2021 1:00 pm Public notice

"Portlanders Question Police Priorities As 911 Response Times Lag"

Article from the Portland Mercury. December 17, 2020.

December 17, 2020 9:28 am News article

"Portland fines contractors for allegedly creating ‘front company’ to certify as woman-owned business"

Article from The Oregonian. September 30, 2020.

September 30, 2020 12:00 pm News article

"Records show City Ombudsman received 'unprecedented' volume of employee complaints about Office of Community and Civic Life"

Article from the Willamette Week. August 31, 2020.

August 31, 2020 12:00 pm News article