Explanation
BACKGROUND AND FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance decreases general fund appropriations for fiscal year 2003 by $5,600,000 to take into account the City Auditor's reduction of the estimate of available resources into the general fund of $5,600,000. This ordinance reduces appropriations within general fund divisions as follows: reducing the amount required for workers compensation premiums due to various discounts and credits ($1,044,000), shifting the debt service payment into the Police and Fire Pension liability fund from the general fund to the special income tax fund ($2,002,287.50), shifting certain general fund expenditures to the SCMR fund ($674,406.50) and the Development Services Fund ($226,126) retroactively to January 1, 2003, savings associated with hiring controls including not filling vacant positions ($526,819), reducing the general fund subsidy to the Health Department primarily to account for vacant positions that will not be filled ($500,000), reducing the year-end balance largely resulting from vacant positions in various agencies ($350,000), and miscellaneous supply, services and equipment reductions ($276,361).
To accommodate the shift of the Police and Fire Pension liability fund payment, the appropriation within the Special Income Tax fund is increased by $2,022,287.50 as a part of this ordinance.
Title
To decrease appropriations in the General Fund of the City of Columbus for fiscal year 2003 by $5,600,000, to authorize and direct the correction of debt service payments for the police and fire pension liability fund from the general fund to the special income tax fund, to increase the appropriation within the special income tax fund by $2,002,287.50, and to declare an emergency ($5,600,000).
Body
WHEREAS, the City faces continuing challenges in the general fund's financial position; and
WHEREAS, the City Auditor has reduced the estimate of available resources into the general fund by an additional
5,600,000; and
WHEREAS, a reduction in general fund appropriation in the amount of $5,600,000 is necessary to bring expenditures in line with projected revenues; and
WHEREAS, an appropriation increase in the amount of $2,002,287.50 in the special income tax fund is required as part of the shifting of police and fire pension fund debt service payments from the general fund to the special income tax fund; and
WHEREAS, an expenditure correction in the amount of $2,002,287.50 for previous debt service payments for the police and fire pension liability fund from the general fund to the special income tax fund is required as part of this appropriation reduction; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to undertake the aforementioned actions, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That appropriations currently authorized in the following departments/ divisions are hereby decreased by the following amounts:
Refer to Excel file Attachment "2003 $5.6 M Reduction"
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $2,002,287.50 within the special income tax fund for debt service payments to the police and fire pension liability fund as follows:
Dept/Division OL3 OCA Amount
30-03 5501 901074 $1,001,143.75
30-04 5501 901074 $1,001,143.75
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to correct expenditures in the amount of $2,002,287.50 to the police and fire pension liability fund, from the general fund, fund 010 to the special income tax fund, fund 430 as follows:
From:
Doc. No. OL3 OCA Amount
VA556987/13 5501 900845 $261,821.88
VA560335/14 5501 900076 477,500.00
VA560335/15 5501 900845 261,821.87
VA556987/14 5501 903716 $261,821.87
VA560335/16 5501 903005 477,500.00
VA560335/17 5501 903716 261,821.88
To:
Doc. No. OL3 OCA Amount
VA556987/13 5501 901074 $261,821.88
VA560335/14 5501 901074 477,500.00
VA560335/15 5501 901074 261,821.87
VA556987/14 5501 901074 $261,821.87
VA560335/16 5501 901074 477,500.00
VA560335/17 5501 901074 261,821.88
SECTION 4. That for the 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.