Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to establish an imprest petty cash operating fund for one farmers market for the reimbursement to farmers who accept the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) services for market customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Produce Perks Incentive program tokens as payment during the market, in the amount of $3,000.00. Columbus Public Health (CPH) is hosting one farmers’ market, on August 7th, 2025.
At the market, the CPH Farmers Market Staff will swipe customer Ohio Directions EBT cards and provide one token for each $1.00 in SNAP benefits they redeem plus a matching Produce Perks token for each $1.00 in SNAP benefits redeemed up to a maximum of $25.00 per EBT transaction. Customers will shop at the markets, using the tokens provided. At the end of the market, the CPH Farmers Market Staff will reimburse the farmers $1.00 for each SNAP token received and $1.00 for each Produce Perks token they have accepted as payment during the market. To facilitate this, a cash box will be required at the farmers market. After the market, reimbursement will be submitted immediately. Columbus Public Health will be reimbursed after the conclusion of the markets for SNAP benefits redeemed and Produce Perks.
Emergency action is requested in order to have the cash available to reimburse farmers after the market held on August 7, 2025.
Fiscal Impact: To provide the sum of $3,000.00 to create an imprest petty cash fund for the farmers' market held at Columbus Public Health on August 7, 2025. At the conclusion of this market, remaining cash is deposited back into the City fund and all disbursed cash is reimbursed and deposited. There is zero net cost to the City to provide the petty cash fund.
Title
To authorize the establishment of an imprest petty cash operating fund for the Columbus Public Health farmers' market to be held this summer; to authorize a transfer within the operating fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $3,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($3,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health will host one farmers market on August 7, 2025 at Columbus Public Health; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to establish an imprest pretty cash fund for the reimbursement to farmers for the SNAP and Produce Perks programs; and
WHEREAS, funding for the imprest petty cash fund will come from the Columbus Public Health Operating Fund Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to establish an imprest petty cash fund in order to reimburse farmers that participate in the SNAP/Produce Perks program at the August 7, 2025 farmers market, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the imprest petty cash fund for Columbus Public Health is hereby established in the amount of $3,000.00
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor shall transfer appropriations from object level 03 to object level 05 - Other Expenditures, according to the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor shall upon receipt of a voucher approved by the Health Commissioner of Columbus Public Health provide the sum of $3,000.00, which is hereby authorized for expenditure from the Columbus Public Health Operating Fund budget.
SECTION 4. That the imprest petty cash fund, as established by $3,000.00 shall be operated by the Columbus Public Health Farmers Market Staff, who shall keep an accurate accounting of such monies.
SECTION 5. That the Columbus Public Health Farmers Market Staff will submit reimbursement from the SNAP and Produce Perks programs that same day of the farmer’s markets.
SECTION 6. That the auditor has the authority to establish such accounting codes as necessary in order to carry out the purpose of this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for 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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.