Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance provides funds to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, a non-profit organization working to fight crime in Columbus neighborhoods. The organization was formed locally in 1977 and provides citizens a means to give information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous. It operates 24-hours a day. This funding is needed to support the administrative duties performed by the assistant coordinator and to accommodate the number of tips being received on an annual basis.
Emergency Designation - An emergency designation will ensure timely payments and avoid disruption of Crime Stoppers activities.
FISCAL IMPACT This legislation authorizes the expenditure of $33,000.00 from Public Safety's 2017 operating budget to partially fund the activities of Central Ohio Crime Stoppers. Central Ohio Crime Stoppers received $25,397.00 from the General Fund in 2010 and $25,500.00 in 2011, 2012, 2013, $35,000 in 2014 and $33,000 in 2015 and 2016.
Title
To authorize and direct the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers to support its operations to provide citizens a means to give information to law enforcement agencies to help fight crime; to authorize the expenditure of $33,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($33,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers is a non-profit organization working to help law enforcement agencies in Central Ohio fight crime; and
WHEREAS, the organization operates 24-hours a day and requires funding to accommodate the number of tips being received on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers currently operates with the oversight of a volunteer Executive Director and a volunteer General Board. The office is staffed and directed by a Columbus Division of Police detective functioning as a Coordinator; and
WHEREAS, Council deems it an appropriate use of the Public Safety funds to support the organization's efforts; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to continue funding Central Ohio Crime Stoppers Inc., and for the 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 Director of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, a non-profit group working to provide citizens a means to give information to law enforcement agencies while remaining anonymous.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $33,000.00 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000-100010 in object Class 03 Support Of Community Agencies per the accounting codes in the spraedsheet attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to not-for-profit service contracts.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carryout the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
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 days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.