Explanation
Hotel/Motel excise tax proceeds are disbursed in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes, 1959, which in part designates a portion of funds for the purpose of fostering arts and cultural services that enrich the community from funds generated by the hotel/motel excise taxes. In 2015, that portion is projected to be $6,033,000. Ninety-seven percent of this projection, or $5,852,000, will be provided to the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) to administer a variety of art and cultural programs and grants, pursuant to this objective. The balance of projected receipts will be reserved by the city for cultural arts programs and services contracted by the city Recreation and Parks Department.
Emergency action is requested since the start of this contract was January 1, 2015.
Contract Compliance #:31-0833384 (non- profit)
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract will come from receipts into the hotel/motel tax fund in accordance with Section 371.02 of the Columbus City Codes. Allocated dollars represent 97% of hotel/motel tax funds set aside for cultural services for the enrichment of the community.
Title
To authorize the Department of Finance and Management to contract with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. for the purpose of fostering and sustaining arts and cultural services that enrich the Columbus community; to authorize the expenditure of 97% of 1.68% (presently estimated at $5,852,000.00) of the combined rates of 5.1% of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax; and to declare an emergency. ($5,852,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, specifies that 1.68% of the combined rates of 5.1% of the revenues of the hotel/motel excise tax are to be used for expanding cultural services for the enrichment of the community; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned rates were established pursuant to Ord. 0484-2014; and
WHEREAS, this mission is best achieved by using said funds to support a broad array of programs, including but not limited to: fine arts exhibits, concerts, festivals, city park activities, vocational opportunities, and other programs for the visual and performing arts, including those provided by both professional and amateur artists, and public art; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. has for many years served as the city's primary non-profit agency to disburse cultural arts funding; and
WHEREAS, Ord. 2622-2014 appropriated $5,852,010 from the monies in the fund known as the hotel-motel tax fund, fund No. 231, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources during the 12 months ending December 31, 2015; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to contract with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc. to allocate hotel-motel excise taxes to nurture arts and cultural services that enrich the Columbus community, 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 Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized to contract with the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Inc., to foster arts and cultural services for the enrichment and benefit of the citizens of Columbus.
SECTION 2. Said contract shall provide for payment by the city for such services in accordance with Chapter 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes, 1959, and 97% of 1.68% of the combined rates of 5.1%, presently estimated at $5,852,000, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Department of Finance and Management, Division No. 45-50, the hotel/motel excise tax fund 231, subfund 004, object level one 03, object level three 3337, OCA code 455311.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329 relating to awarding not-for-profit service contracts exceeding twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00).
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 legislation.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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 (10) days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.