P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Secretary of State BEV CLARNO The State of Oregon

CONTACT: Andrea Chiapella | 503-986-2259 | andrea.chiapella@oregon.gov

DATE: February 13, 2020

Secretary of State Bev Clarno Releases Audit of Travel Oregon Contracting and Compensation

SALEM, OR — Travel Oregon should strengthen controls over contracting procedures and take steps to share more information regarding the compensation of agency leadership to better inform the Legislature, according to an audit released today by Secretary of State Bev Clarno.

The findings are outlined in the report entitled: “Travel Oregon Should Strengthen Controls over Contracting and Improve Accountability of Compensation to Inform Decision Makers.”

Travel Oregon has generally demonstrated a commitment to ensuring contracts are in place to provide for the needs of the agency. However, the audit makes recommendations to further strengthen contracting procedures. Additionally, the audit highlights the fact that Travel Oregon’s managers are some of the highest compensated managers in state government. Auditors found the agency lacks detailed documentation to support the decisions that led to these high levels of compensation.

“Travel Oregon should improve its transparency and accountability in how it spends taxpayer money,” said Secretary of State Clarno. “Travel Oregon receives funding courtesy of the lodging tax, which is paid by taxpayers in Oregon and visitors alike.”

Read the full audit on the Secretary of State website (https://sos.oregon.gov/audits/Pages/default.aspx).

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