Explanation
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the appropriation of $10,000.00 within the Job Growth subfund for the Small Business Training Services Program and to authorize and direct the Director of the Department of Human Resources to implement the program.
The Small Business Training Program allows local small business free access to numerous classes offered by the City of Columbus Citywide Training and Development (CTS) office. Classes are designed to improve the professional skills of workers. Professional development sessions include courses focusing on both hard and soft skills. For example, computer courses in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are offered as well as coursework designed to improve skills in improved communication, critical thinking, leadership, and team building. All classes are held at the Citywide Training and Development office, located at the Jerry Hammond Center. Staff is open to traveling to work sites of business as well.
The Small Business Training Services Program has allowed the Citywide Training and Development Office to serve dozens of small businesses each year within the Central Ohio community. This program requires funding in order to continue to serve small businesses through 2024.
This legislation authorizes the appropriation of $10,000.00 within the Job Growth subfund.
FISCAL IMPACT: Total appropriation of $10,000.00 is available in the 2024 budget within the Job Growth Initiative subfund, Fund 1000, subfund 100015.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $10,000.00 within the Job Growth subfund for the Small Business Training Services Program; to authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to implement the Small Business Training Services Program. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Columbus City Council Small Business Roundtable made the recommendation in 2013 to open select citywide training opportunities to owners and employees of small businesses located in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, this Council finds that continuing to make such training opportunities available will serve the public by strengthening our city's small businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Human Resources will continue to manage the Small Business Training Services Program; and
WHEREAS, funding exists within the Job Growth subfund for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, this Council wishes to provide such services at no cost to qualifying participants; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $10,000.00 in the Job Growth subfund, Fund 1000, subfund 100015, to the Department of Human Resources, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. 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 3. That, for the purposes of the program, small businesses will be defined as independently-owned and operated businesses physically located in Columbus with no more than 50 employed staff members per year.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Human Resources or the Director’s designee may promulgate rules to effect the purpose of this ordinance, including, but not limited to, the following: additional eligibility criteria for participation in the program; additional limitations on the definition of a small business so long as they do not conflict with Section 3 of this ordinance; application and registration processes; timelines for applying for classes; those classes which will be made available to participants, provided that the maximum practicable training opportunities should be made available; and the number of seats available to eligible small businesses for any given class.
SECTION 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.