Portland City Auditor

🔍 Audit Update: Council's legislative changes helped the Portland Clean Energy Fund put management systems in place. 🌱

It has been a year since our 2022 report on the Portland Clean Energy Fund, and we are pleased to share some important updates. In our audit, we found that while the Fund had started implementing management systems, certain elements were still pending or required guidance from City Council. These included managing administrative costs, defining climate goals, capacity building, and accountability systems.

After our audit, the Commissioner-in-charge, the Planning and Sustainability Director, as well as the Fund Committee and staff, sought direction from Council to address our recommendations. In October 2022, Council adopted legislative amendments that proved instrumental. These changes helped the Fund improve administrative cost management, provided guidance on climate goals and oversight, and facilitated the implementation of accountability systems identified in the original audit.

Council made policy decisions that expanded the Fund's scope by adding new funding categories, approving additional funding pathways, and broadening the types of organizations eligible for funds. The administration of some strategic programs will now be overseen by Prosper Portland and City bureaus like Housing, Parks and Recreation, and Transportation.

While this report focuses on the Fund's progress in implementing our 2022 audit recommendations, it does not cover recent policy decisions, structural changes, or new management practices that will follow. We remain committed to transparency and accountability as we work towards a greener and more sustainable future for Portland.

For more details, please read the full report:

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.

We conducted a follow-up to our 2021 audit titled "Sewer Maintenance: Renewed attention to partnership needed to better serve ratepayers". We scrutinized the long-standing cooperation between two City bureaus – Transportation and Environmental Services – that manage the upkeep of the over 2,000 miles of underground pipes in Portland. Findings and recommendations suggest both progress and room for improvement.

The Transportation bureau has efficiently handled pandemic-related staffing and equipment challenges. They introduced single-occupant vehicles and flexible schedules to maintain repairs and regular maintenance while upholding COVID protocols. Additionally, the bureau addresses high vacancy rates and supply chain issues affecting vehicle and equipment upkeep.

Both bureaus have made efforts to ensure better management of materials used in sewer repairs. Transportation is implementing procedures and training for better tracking of materials used by crews and is working with Environmental Services to set a standard for reviewing discrepancies.

Despite our recommendation to review cost allocations in the Transportation's financial model, the bureau has continued using the existing model following a past city decision and federal guidelines. We suggest more transparency in reporting non-sewer maintenance-related costs.

We advised both bureaus to reassess their longstanding sewer maintenance agreement. Despite their decision to delay this until the city's governance transition, we believe the agreement should be revised sooner as the city forms a new organizational structure for more efficient services. Our aim is an open and accountable government that works in the public's best interest.

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.

https://www.portland.gov/audit-services/news/2023/6/12/audit-update-bureaus-have-taken-initial-steps-address-challenges

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.

Council is meeting at 2 pm today to discuss the Portland Children's Levy. Check out the agenda and watch LIVE: 👉http://bit.ly/3ilTqG7 👈on YouTube, Xfinity Channel 30 and 330, and in-person at City Hall.

This morning’s Council meeting starts in 30 minutes! Check out the agenda and watch LIVE: 👉http://bit.ly/3ilTqG7👈 on YouTube, Xfinity Channel 30 and 330, and in-person at City Hall.

🏠 Council is meeting at 2 pm today to discuss the Shelter to Housing Continuum - Part 2. Check out the agenda and watch LIVE: 👉http://bit.ly/3ilTqG7 👈on YouTube, Xfinity Channel 30 and 330, and in-person at City Hall.