Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $465,887 and reflects the anticipated expenses for fiscal year 2012 within the Franklin County Municipal Court's Specialty Docket Fund. This expansion of the Specialty Docket will consist of three programs, the Solicitation Program, the Addiction Program and the Military and Veteran's Court Program. The Solicitation Program Specialty Docket, Changing Actions To Change Habits (CATCH Program), is intended to provide a mechanism to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration for a person whose multiple solicitation arrests, summons and charges have negatively impacted the person's quality of life and community safety. Many of these individuals have a history of multiple arrests, criminal behavior, drug addiction, poverty and being victimized as a result of soliciting. The CATCH Program requires limited court involvement in treatment planning and compliance, which should result in more effective utilization of other court and county resources.
The Addiction Program Specialty Docket (APSD) is intended to provide a mechanism to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration for a person whose arrests, summons and charges are associated with alcohol and/or chemical dependence (AOD), which negatively impact the person's quality of life and community safety. Many of these individuals have a history of multiple arrests, typically OMVI, criminal behavior, drug addiction, poverty and transient housing. The APSD requires limited court involvement in treatment planning and compliance, which should result in more effective utilization of other county and court resources.
The Military and Veteran Specialty Docket is intended to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration for people whose criminal charges may be directly or indirectly connected to military service or combat. The arrests, summons, and charges obtained by these individuals have a negative impact on their quality of life and the safety of the community. Many of these individuals will have suffered from drug addiction, poverty, and a lack of community support. The Military and Veteran Service Specialty Docket Program requires limited court involvement in treatment planning and compliance, which should result in more effective utilization of other court and county resources.
Funds are to be used to assist in the support of the Specialty Docket. The intent of these funds is to provide for the purchase personnel, materials and supplies, and services.
EMERGENCY: Emergency action is requested to allow the continuation of the program.
FISCAL IMPACT: Appropriations are to be used to assist in the support of the Specialty Docket. Funds are also being transferred from several sources to this program for continued funding of the Municipal Court's Specialty Docket Program. These funds are to provide for personnel, materials and supplies, and services.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $465,887.00 for 2012 from the unappropriated balance of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges Specialty Docket fund for all anticipated expenses associated with the enhancement of the program; and to declare an emergency. ($465,887.00)
Body
WHEREAS, an appropriation of these funds is necessary in order to continue the enhancement of specialty docket and the payment thereof; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges in that it is immediately necessary to undertake said activities, in order for the Municipal Court to commence expending these funds, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety and welfare; now therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the sum of $465,887 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the special revenue fund, fund 226, subfund 004, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purposes during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, department number 2501, oca code 226004, as follows: object level 1 - 01, $231,887; object level 1 - 02, $12,500; object level 1 - 03, $221,500.
Section 2. That monies appropriated in Section 1 shall be paid upon the recommendation of the Judge overseeing the specialty docket and upon the order of the Administrative and Presiding Judge, and that no order shall be drawn or paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
Section 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby 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.