Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to enter into an initial contract with qualified vendor, Lutheran Social Services. Lutheran Social Services will be funded for the delivery of Ending the HIV Epidemic services. These services include, but not limited to Housing Services, Emergency Financial Assistance, and Medical Transportation to achieve viral suppression for individuals living with HIV. The priority populations to be served include men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, people who inject drugs, and persons who engage in sex work. The contract period is from March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $125,000.00.
Columbus Public Health receives funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), per Ordinance 0441-2024. The purpose of this grant is to focus resources in jurisdictions with substantial HIV burden to implement strategies, interventions, approaches, and core medical and support services to reduce new HIV infections in the United States. Locally, Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Program funds the provision of medical and support services to any persons living with HIV to agencies that reside/provide direct services in Franklin County. The overarching goal for this initiative is to reduce new HIV infections in the United States to less than 3,000 per year by 2030.
Throughout the fiscal year, Columbus Public Health monitors spending by all Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) providers and makes necessary adjustments for service reallocation, per grant service category to service clients in Central Ohio. These said services are measured by need in the community, in conjunction with Ending the HIV Epidemic initiatives and program capacity. Any services or goods provided in concurrence with this contract are based on a deliverable service count to assist Columbus Public Health in meeting grant deliverables outlined by grantor. Lutheran Social Services is a not for profit agency and is exempt from bidding according to bidding requirements of the City Code 329.30.
Lutheran Social Services CC-006115: $125,000.00
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that quality medical care continues to be available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and to ensure timely payment to providers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This contract entered into by Columbus Public Health with Lutheran Social Services is contingent upon acceptance and passage of Ordinance 0441-2024. Lutheran Social Services meets federal requirements related to services allowable under the Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant Program as well as comply with bidding requirements of the City Code. This ordinance will authorize one ACPO in the amount of $125,000.00 to encumber funds using available grant appropriations for contracts with vendors.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into a contract with Lutheran Social Services for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant Program for the provision of services allowable under the grant for persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of $125,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the city receives funding totaling $714,800.00 for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which requires Columbus Public Health (CPH) to assure quality medical care to eligible persons living with HIV or AIDS in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the Board of Health to enter into contracts for services; and,
WHEREAS, $125,000.00 in funds are needed for the continued provision of HIV-related medical and support services and any other service allowable under the Grant for a sum total of contracts not to exceed $125,000.00; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Health will contract with Lutheran Social Services who will provide various HIV-related services to meet all grant deliverables required by the Grant; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to enter into contracts in order to ensure that quality medical care continues and is available to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS and to ensure timely payments to providers, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Lutheran Social Serives for a total amount not to exceed $125,000.00 for HIV-related support and medical services to persons with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio, for the period of March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contract, the expenditure of $125,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, object class 03 per the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.