Multnomah County Audit Finds $1.18 Million in Likely Overpayments on Two Real Estate Deals Due to Missing Purchase Policies; County Chair Disputes the 'Overpayment' Label
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A Multnomah County Auditor's Office performance audit released Aug. 26, 2026 found the county likely overpaid $840,000 for the Days Inn Motel on NE 82nd Avenue (bought for $4.2 million in 2020) and $340,000 for the Oak Street Village shelter site, after relying on brokers' price opinions instead of independent certified appraisals, and after bypassing board oversight (the Board isn't required to approve real estate purchases over $1 million unless they involve construction). The audit was triggered by a Good Government Hotline complaint. Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson responded on the record, included in the auditor's report, disputing that the purchases were "overpayments" and calling them "deliberate, strategic business decisions." Recommended reforms, including mandatory independent appraisals and board approval over $1 million, are expected to take effect by March 1, 2027.
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- KOIN
Multnomah County spent $4.2 million on the Days Inn Motel site
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Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
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