Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane to provide funding to assist with the provision of licensed humane agents to perform animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus. These investigations are performed in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1717 in order to protect at-risk animals in the community. Columbus Humane has increased dispatch coverage in order to help Public Safety with calls for assistance up to seven days a week. Consistent with the City's public safety efforts, Columbus Humane shall notify the appropriate legal authorities of affirmed animal abuse, neglect, and suspected abuse toward humans.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the Public Safety Director to enter into contract with Columbus Humane to assist with animal cruelty investigations. Funds for this contract were budgeted in the Safety Director's 2024 general fund budget within the Department of Public Safety. This ordinance is contingent upon passage of the 2024 general fund operating budget via Ord. 3011-2023.
$275,000.00 was spent in 2023.
$225,000.00 was spent in 2022.
Emergency Designation: Emergency action is requested in order to allow the Department to begin making payments to Columbus Humane as soon as possible after budget passage. The first invoice is typically received in early March.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane to assist in the performance of animal cruelty investigations; to authorize the expenditure of $325,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($325,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety, through its Director's Office, desires to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane; and
WHEREAS, this contract will allow for dispatch coverage by Columbus Humane to assist in the funding of licensed humane agents for the purpose of conducting animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus for the protection of at-risk animals in the community and in the interest of overall public safety; and
WHEREAS, funds for this contract were budgeted within the Safety Director's Office 2024 General Fund Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Safety in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to contract with Columbus Humane in order to assist in funding licensed humane agents for the purpose of conducting animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus and to timely pay Columbus Humane whose invoice is anticipated to be received in early March 2024, 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 the Director of the Department of Public Safety is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Columbus Humane, formerly known as the Capital Area Humane Society, to assist in funding licensed humane agents and calls for assistance up to seven days a week for animal cruelty investigations within the City of Columbus for the period to commence February 22, 2024 through March 31, 2025, in the amount of $325,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $325,000.00, 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 spreadsheet attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance 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.