Legislation Details

File #: 2721-2026    Version: 1
Type: Ordinance Status: First Reading
File created: 9/25/2026 In control: Housing, Homelessness, & Building Committee
On agenda: 10/19/2026 Final action:
Title: To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. in an amount up to $66,333.00 to provide for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of Columbus City Codes Chapter 329; to authorize the transfer between object classes in an amount up to $25,125.00; and to authorize the expenditure in an amount up to $66,633.00. ($66,633.00)
Attachments: 1. 2721-2026 Housing and Housing Stability Benevate-Neighborly licenses GF SG waiver 2026-09-25, 2. 2721-2026 Housing and Housing Stability Benevate SOS 2026-09-25, 3. 2721-2026 Housing and Housing Stability Benevate Legislation GF 2026-09-25
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting Details
No records to display.
Explanation

Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a service contract with Benevate, Inc. for the continued use of Neighborly software, including support and training services in an amount up to $66,333.00. This ordinance also authorizes the transfer in appropriation within the Housing Stability General Fund Budget in an amount up to $25,125.00.

The Department of Development, Housing Division started using Neighborly software in 2021. Ordinance 2629-2021 authorized the Director of the Department of Development to waive Columbus City Code Chapter 329 and enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc. for the software. After five years of use, the Housing Division would like to continue using the software, to enable safe and secure intake of applications, facilitate work from any location, and provide prompts to applicants to assure that a complete application is submitted. The Division of Housing Stability began using it in 2025 and they would also like to continue using the software.

On October 2021, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2629-2021 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.

On December 2022, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 3413-2022 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.

On November 9, 2023, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2974-2023 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.

On June 27, 2024, Columbus City Council approved ordinance 1687-2024 to modify the existing contract with Benevate, Inc to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.

On October 24, 2024 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 2636-2024 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc and waived competitive bidding.

On March 5, 2025 Columbus City Council approved ordinance 0065-2025 to add an additional $8,000.00 to enter into a contract with Benevate, Inc...

Click here for full text