Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Auditor to appropriate and transfer funds from the Special Purpose -PFAS Settlement Fund to the Water Operating Fund.
Ordinance 2125-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on July 28th, 2025, authorized the City of Columbus to accept settlement claims in the Multi-District Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (“AFFF”) Product Liability Litigation (“the MDL”) - IN RE: AQUEOUS FILM-FORMING FOAMS PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, MDL Case No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG. Payments received by the City of Columbus have been deposited into the Special Purpose -PFAS Settlement Fund. This ordinance requests appropriation and transfer of those funds to the Water Operating fund so that these funds can be used by the Division of Water for the purpose of improving water quality.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation request permission to appropriate and transfer PFAS settlement funds to the Water Operating Fund.
Emergency Justification: This ordinance is being requested as an emergency so that the accounting entries can be completed before the year end reconciliation of funds.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to appropriate and transfer funds from the Special Purpose - PFAS Settlement Fund to the Department of Public Utilities, Water Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($11,177,600.69)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2125-2025, passed by Columbus City Council on July 28th, 2025, authorized the City of Columbus to accept settlement claims in the Multi-District Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (“AFFF”) Product Liability Litigation (“the MDL”) - IN RE: AQUEOUS FILM-FORMING FOAMS PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, MDL Case No. 2:18-mn-2873-RMG; and
WHEREAS, the settlement funds have been deposited into the Special Purpose - PFAS Settlement Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the appropriation and transfer of funds from the Special Purpose - PFAS Settlement Fund to the Water Operating Fund so that the funds can be used to enhance water quality; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the appropriation and transfer of funds so that accounting entries can be made before the year end reconciliation, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, the sum of $11,177,600.69 is appropriated in Fund 2223, Subfund 222361 Special Revenue - PFAS Settlement Fund in Object Class 10 Transfer, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the cash transfer of $11,177,600.69 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between the Special Revenue - PFAS Settlement Fund and the Water Operating fund, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any necessary accounting changes to ensure that these transactions are accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records.
SECTION 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is 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 this Ordinance.