Many community members have asked me what the County Auditor does.

The Auditor’s Office conducts performance audits. These are similar to program evaluations.  They typically assess program effectiveness and results, operational efficiency, compliance with legal and policy requirements, and management controls. They can be on a range of topics, from the effectiveness of housing placements to evaluating the land use permits process to determining whether people have access to needed public health services.

Many people have also asked me why they should care about the County Auditor’s Office and what it does.

You should care, because the County Auditor is an elected position, independent from the County Commissioners, and the Auditor reports to you – the public!  Audit results are published, so anyone can read them, which provides transparency and holds government officials accountable.

Performance audits identify problems and diagnose root causes. They make recommendations to improve government programs and policies, and they ensure public services are equitable.  The County Auditor follows Government Auditing Standards, which means audit findings are based on critical,  unbiased analysis of evidence, rather than political leanings or opinions.

I believe equity is part of government accountability, and audits should analyze the impact of government policies and programs on traditionally under-served communities.  An audit can identify and help eliminate barriers.  I will make sure audits incorporate an equity lens and audit staff are trained in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

To get an idea about what a performance audit provides, please see a few examples of past audits I’ve worked on with the City of Portland and Washington County: