NEW: 2025-2026 Annual Audit Workplan

On August 28, 2025, the Office of the City Auditor released its Annual Audit Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

Each year, we carefully determine which areas to audit by balancing our mandated responsibilities with the community’s concerns, available resources, and pressing issues. This plan offers transparency about how we identify and prioritize audits that will have the most significant impact.

Our commitment remains steadfast: we aim to focus on the issues that matter most to Oakland residents and City employees while holding the government accountable for improving operations and delivering essential City services more effectively, efficiently, and equitably.

City Auditor Michael Houston extends his heartfelt thanks to Oakland residents, City and community leaders, business leaders, Councilmembers, and City employees. Your participation—through interviews, meetings, surveys, and direct communication—has been invaluable. As your City Auditor, it was essential for him that your voices shape this Audit Work Plan.

NEW: WHISTLEBLOWER INVESTIGATIONS RELEASED

In June, my Office released two investigation reports in response to anonymous complaints submitted to the City Auditor’s Whistleblower Hotline.

The first investigation began after a complaint was filed in December 2024, alleging that federal grant funding was awarded to the City of Oakland and then passed on to a nonprofit organization that did not deliver the services the City had contracted it to provide.

The second investigation was initiated after receiving multiple complaints in 2023 and 2024 alleging theft and mismanagement at one of the City’s senior centers. While there was insufficient evidence to substantiate or refute the allegations, the investigation identified dire weaknesses in management and cash handling practices at one of the senior centers. Based on the investigation results, we made multiple recommendations to the City Administration.

The Human Services Department, the City department responsible for overseeing the services in question, has already taken action on the issues identified in our investigations. However, during these investigations, several concerns arose regarding the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of the services provided to the public by the City and its contractors. Our primary focus during investigations is to confirm or dismiss the allegations, rather than to address broader goals as we do while conducting performance audits. We are considering including these pressing issues in our Work Plan, which will be released in August.

We believe that transparency and accountability are paramount to good governance. These reports inform the public and guide the City Administration towards necessary improvements.

We sincerely thank the individuals who came forward to report their concerns. Without their courage and civic-mindedness, our Office might not have become aware of these critical issues. Your vigilance is invaluable in helping us preserve the integrity of City operations.