Vendor Payment Checkbook Launches

Today, June 18, 2015, the City of Portland launched a new web tool: the Vendor Payment Checkbook. Vendor Payment Checkbook allows community members to search a database containing payments that the City has made to businesses and contractors. The database includes information such as vendor name, invoice number, payment date, payment amount, procuring bureau, funding source, and accounting category.

The City of Portland launched this tool to enhance financial transparency. Governments across the country, both large and small, are beginning to provide direct access to vendor and procurement information via online “checkbooks” and financial dashboards. Vendor Payment Checkbook allows community members direct access to the City of Portland’s vendor payments.

City of Portland Chief Financial Officer Ken Rust said, “Many cities, from New York City to Lake Oswego, are increasing their financial transparency with ‘checkbook’ type tools. Sharing this detailed kind of information is becoming a nationwide trend.”

The Vendor Payment Checkbook webpage is live at http://www.portlandoregon.gov/checkbook.

Links to a user guide and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available on the site’s homepage.

Questions regarding the Vendor Payment Checkbook system can be directed to Jen Clodius in the Office of Management & Finance.

Questions about a particular transaction should be directed to the bureau that made the purchase. Follow these links for individual bureau records request and media contacts.

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