Dear friends and neighbors,
With the recent local media coverage of ethics issues at the county, this seems like an opportune time to talk about the role the Auditor’s Office plays in keeping pressure on county management to improve the county’s practices - both internal and external.
For example, I have been communicating with the County Chair, COO, and Commissioners to remind them of the recommendations my office has made to improve the county’s ethical culture, as well as about my office’s recent reports on how employees perceive that ethical culture.
Most recently, in 2024 my office found that employees generally believe the county has clearly communicated ethical expectations to them. However, only 1 in 3 employees responded that they feel the rules at the county apply to everyone equally. Employees also worry about retaliation for speaking up, with less than half of employees who responded to the survey saying that they felt they could report unethical behavior without fearing retaliation. In response to many of the survey questions we asked, there were statistically significant differences in the way that employees experienced the ethical culture, depending on race and ethnicity, gender, and transgender identification.
I have urged the Chair and COO to ensure that the external investigation Beery, Elsner & Hammond, LLP, is conducting for them about county ethics policies does not duplicate the work my office has conducted, as that would constitute waste. I have been told it will not be duplicative, and I will be paying close attention - because my team and I don't just stop once we publish an audit or investigatory report.
We continue to watch and listen to what county management is doing with regard to the information we have given them to improve the county. And we share our results with you so you can help make sure the county acts on our reports. For example, in July we issued our performance audit report on adult probation and parole and the use of jail sanctions, and we will continue to share information from the report with community organizations into this fall. We also follow up on all of our recommendations and report to you on whether they are implemented.
Rest assured, we are continually working behind the scenes and in the community to keep the focus on how to improve our county government. We are persistent so that our work can result in changes that benefit the diverse communities that the county serves.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Countywide equity audit presentation to the Board of County Commissioners
One of the audit reports my office published in July was our performance audit of countywide equity. Senior Auditor Sura Sumareh and Audit Director Nicole Dewees presented the audit’s findings this month to the Board of County Commissioners.
A common theme we heard during the audit is that employees are exhausted from sharing again and again that different employee groups at the county have different outcomes. The data we analyzed show that employee concerns were more than warranted. Countywide, Asian employees were less likely to be supervisors, Black or African American employees were less likely to pass the trial service period and were more likely to be fired, and LGBTQIA2S+ employees were more likely to quit.
Our recommendations included steps to improve manager accountability and enhancing support for employees with disabilities.
You can watch the presentation here.
Community engagement
Partner's in Diversity: Joint Professional Resource Group Gathering (PRG)
On August 27, Constituent Relations and DEI Engagement Specialist Raymond De Silva participated in Partner's in Diversity Joint Summer Gathering of Asian Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, and Native American Professional Resource Groups. It was both a time of celebration and an opportunity to discuss current issues facing our communities. Image above courtesy of Partners in Diversity.
NAYA's Reimagining Justice in Cully
On August 30, I will attend NAYA’s Reimagining Justice Block Party in Portland’s Cully neighborhood. This event celebrates Cully’s newest community mural created by BIPOC youth. There will be a BIPOC-centered open mic, speakers, and performances. I’m excited to see the mural and the joy!
Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon's Arab Mahrajan
On August 31, Constituent Relations and DEI Engagement Specialist Raymond De Silva will represent our office at the Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon’s (AACCO) 14th annual Arab Mahrajan. This event is a celebration of Arab cultures and of Oregon’s diverse Arab-American communities.
Invite Auditor McGuirk to attend an event or meeting
If you’d like me and or staff to attend or speak at a meeting with your community group, simply fill out this form.