A recent audit of Portland's community and neighborhood involvement programs shows outdated standards and a lack of accountability.
The city spends about $5 million a year on its system of neighborhoods, community groups, and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s program. Drummond Kahn, the director of audit services in the Portland City Auditor’s office, says one issue is a lack of accountability for grant recipients.
"We also reviewed some recommendations from back in 2008 to increase the number and diversity of individuals involved in community programs and found that those recommendations have not been fully implemented," he said.
The auditor's office made several new recommendations such as updating city code and working to ensure community engagement dollars are distributed more equitably across neighborhoods.