Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus to make payment(s) to the Columbus Foundation, the Keep Columbus Beautiful Foundation, to facilitate management of funds in a donor-advised fund in furtherance of the altruistic efforts of Sustainable Columbus and Keep Columbus Beautiful (KCB).
Sustainable Columbus is the citywide sustainability office leading on policy, programs and resources that support sustainability efforts and the Columbus Climate Action Plan (CAP). A key strategy within the CAP is empowering a community of climate leaders. Youth-led climate projects supported by micro-grants further this strategy and sustainability goals. Sustainable Columbus partners with KCB on this effort due to shared alignment on strategy and goals, and to simplify and create efficiencies in funding.
An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, KCB is a community improvement program within the Department of Public Service focused on public education and volunteer service related to quality of life environmental issues including litter, recycling, and beautification. As both a grant-receiving and grant-making organization, KCB has expanded its reach and impact through the establishment of the Keep Columbus Beautiful Foundation, the purpose of which is to simplify the receipt and administration of grant awards and charitable donations. This legislation authorizes the encumbrance and expenditure of $48,000.00, which represents funding for youth-led climate projects supported by micro-grants ranging from $1,000-$5,000.
Emergency action is requested to allow the establishment, disbursement and completion of youth-led climate projects and micro-grants during 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT: $48,000.00 will come from the Sustainable Columbus Fund 2260/226001 for this program.
Title
To authorize the Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, to make payment(s) to the Columbus Foundation, KCB foundation, a nonprofit; to facilitate management of funds in a donor-advised fund in furtherance of the altruistic efforts of Sustainable Columbus and Keep Columbus Beautiful (KCB); to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $48,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus fund and to declare an emergency. ($48,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Foundation, is a nonprofit corporation that supports the City’s sustainability, community prosperity and youth-led climate projects; and
WHEREAS, The Director of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, desires to pay the Columbus Foundation, KCB foundation, to help fund and educate youth-led climate projects; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exits to continue the environmental sustainability efforts during the remainder of 2026 or until the duration of funds have been used to support the project; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, to authorize the Director to pay the Columbus Foundation, KCB Foundation; to continue to promote the Sustainable Columbus and Keep Columbus Beautiful youth-led climate projects. NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of Sustainable Columbus, is hereby authorized to pay the Columbus Foundation, KCB Foundation, for furtherance of the altruistic efforts of Sustainable Columbus and Keep Columbus Beautiful (KCB) youth-led climate projects in the amount of $48,000.00.
SECTION 2. The amount of $48,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2260/226001 (Sustainable Columbus Fund), Dept-Div 4550 (Finance Director’s Office) in object class 05 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $48,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized by the Sustainable Columbus Fund 2260 in object class 05, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. 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 6. 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 7. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same