Explanation
Background: This ordinance is to authorize the City Auditor, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, to create a new subfund within the City’s Special Purpose Fund to account for funds received that are intended to support the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan (UFMP).
The Columbus Urban Forestry Master Plan is the first citywide strategic plan to invest long-term in Columbus’ trees. Over the next decades, the UFMP will guide the entire Columbus Community to prioritize, preserve, and grow our tree canopy. Tree canopy refers to the part of a city that is shaded by trees. Canopy cover is the percentage of the city that is covered by trees when viewed from above, as opposed to other land cover like water, open green space, hard surfaces and bare soil.
The Central Ohio Community has been very supportive of the Urban Forestry Master Plan and there have been donors, such as Google and AEP, willing to support these efforts. Revenue received from any source that is intended to support the implementation of the UFMP will be deposited into this dedicated subfund. The funds will then be used for the purchase of future supplies and services in conjunction with the UFMP’s efforts to increase the tree canopy within Columbus. The new subfund will be called “Recreation and Parks - Urban Forestry Master Plan”.
Fiscal Impact: Utilizing the City’s Special Purpose Fund will provide the best means for properly tracking and accounting for revenue and expenditures.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, to create a new subfund within the City’s Special Purpose Fund to account for funds received that are intended to support the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need to create a new subfund within the City’s Special Purpose Fund to account for funds that are intended to support the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor, on behalf of the Recreation and Parks Department, is hereby authorized to establish a subfund within the City’s Special Purpose Fund 2223, titled “Recreation and Parks - Urban Forestry Master Plan” in order to properly track and account for the fiscal activities of revenue received that is intended to support the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan.
SECTION 2. Any such future deposits as the City may receive are hereby deemed to be appropriated, and the City Auditor is hereby authorized to pay such amounts thereof, in accordance with payments made toward the City’s Special Purpose Fund 2223.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a fund to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said fund that the fund has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said fund; except that no transfer shall be so made from a fund funded by monies from more than one source.
SECTION 4. 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 legislation.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.