Portlanders will vote in May whether to strengthen the independence of the elected auditor who oversees Portland’s Independent Police Review Division and evaluates the performance of the city’s bureaus.
The Portland City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to put before voters changes to the city’s charter that would give the auditor greater independence over spending, hiring and legal decisions.
Mayor Ted Wheeler called the unanimous decision “historic” and noted that Portland City Council needs to give the public confidence in a time when “government accountability is under siege.”
“The independence of the auditor is critical to making sure the public has the confidence that there is somebody watching the watchers, which is effectively what we have here,” Wheeler said. “It’s an appropriate function and a necessary function.”
City Auditor Mary Hull Caballero has for months advocated for budget, legal and administrative processes independent from offices whose performance she evaluates. She said she was pleasantly surprised by the council’s unanimous vote.
“It’s an empowering expression for the leaders of this community to support accountability,” Hull Caballero said.
If passed, the charter amendments would enable the auditor to submit a budget proposal each year without getting prior review from city agencies, allow the auditor to seek independent legal counsel, give her control over human resources and procurement decisions in her sahabet giriş office and guarantee her the same salary as city commissioners.
The reform would also add the Office of the Ombudsman to the core duties of the auditor’s office.
The City Council established the Office of the Ombudsman in 2001 to investigate complaints by the public against city agencies. The position’s value came into question during former Mayor Charlie Hales’ time in office, when he and Hull Caballero repeatedly butted heads.
Commission Dan Saltzman does not oppose giving the auditor control of the ombudsman’s office, but he does not want that set in stone in the city’s charter.
“I have no issue with the ombudsman,” Saltzman said. “It’s a size of government issue with me.”
The proposed charter changes will appear on a May 16 special election ballot. Hull Caballero anticipates a busy few months educating voters on the measure, but does not yet have a plan for rallying support.
“We on the City Council don’t get the last word, nor does the auditor,” Wheeler said. “Now it’s up to the voters to decide whether or not this is something they want to include in the charter for the City of Portland.”
–Jessica Floum
jfloum@oregonian.com
503-221-8306
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