NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING

Portland City Charter Section 2-506(a) authorizes the City Auditor to establish rules for the Auditor’s Office. Oregon Revised Statutes 297.760-765 requires local governments to adopt written policies and procedures for hotlines established to accept reports of waste, inefficiency, and abuse.

The City Auditor proposes the following revised administrative rule for adoption:

ARA 10.01 – FRAUD HOTLINE
Administrative Rule of the Auditor’s Office (“ARA”) 10.01 sets out the Auditor’s policies and procedures for the City’s Fraud Hotline. The proposed revisions are made primarily for the purpose of clarifying and simplifying language. The changes also ensure consistency with applicable State laws. For example, the revisions clarify:

• That tips regarding suspected “inefficiency” (defined) are within the scope of the hotline.
• Policies and procedures for investigative interviews of City employees.
• Specific public records rules that may apply to investigation records.
• Policies and procedures for reporting outcomes of hotline tip investigations.

REVIEWING THE PROPOSED RULE:
The proposed ARA 10.01 is available on-line at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/article/768211.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS:

The City Auditor invites employees and the public to comment on the revised rules. To be considered, comments must be received by 5:00 PM on December 7, 2020.

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS:

Comments may be:

Submitted electronically at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/auditor/75254

Emailed to: auditorsoffice@portlandoregon.gov

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and limit exposure for vulnerable populations, Auditor’s Office staff members are working remotely and are not available to accept comments submitted in person or by mail.