In the March 22, 2018, issue of the Register-Guard, Eugene resident Brian Wanty writes in a letter:
What are the consequences of having a city auditor? Portland has had a city auditor for 150 years. Whatever the effects an auditor has on a city should be fully achieved by now in Portland.
The 2016 Portland Community Survey found that ratings of city livability have dropped to a new low. Significantly lower views on city livability were found among “residents age 60 and older; those who have lived in the same residence for 10 or more years; individuals with a disability; those who make less than $75,000 a year; and those who have less than a bachelor’s degree.”
Portland residents’ satisfaction with delivery of city services dropped to a new low in 2016. Residents found new construction diminished neighborhood livability. Housing was reported as less affordable despite increased residential construction. Rush-hour traffic congestion on major roads was much worse across all areas of Portland.
Opportunities to influence government decisions were reported to be at an all-time low by Portland residents. Only a quarter of residents felt positively about overall planning for future land use.
So, having an auditor doesn’t protect livability, city services, housing affordability, transportation, opportunities to influence government or land-use planning.