Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC). CELC is the existing Pre-Kindergarten education program provider at the Hilltop Early Learning Center, as authorized by Ord 0441-2022. Pursuant to Ord 0441-2022, the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Education, was authorized to enter into an Operations Agreement with CELC. This Operations Agreement had an initial term for the period September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023. This Operations Agreement provided for two automatic annual renewals. An encumbrance is therefore needed to pay contract services related to pre-kindergarten programming for the third (and final) renewal period of September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $3,061,735.00 with Columbus Early Learning Centers for the period September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025, as well as the approval of prior expenditures related to contract services. Funding for this contract is budgeted and available within the 2024 Mayor’s Office of Education general operating budget.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency action is requested in order to allow the establishment of an encumbrance for the payment of contract services prior to close-out of the 2024 Fiscal Year.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers; to authorize the expenditure of $3,061,735.00 from the General Fund; to authorize the payment of prior expenditures related to contract services; and to declare an emergency. ($3,061,735.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, participation in quality early childhood education can provide an important mechanism for developing children’s school readiness; and
WHEREAS, not all children have access to quality early childhood education and/or intentional parenting practices; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ord 0441-2022, the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Education, was authorized to enter into an Operations Agreement with CELC; and
WHEREAS, this Operations Agreement had an initial term for the period September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 and also provided for two automatic annual renewals; and
WHEREAS, an encumbrance is needed to pay contract services related to pre-kindergarten programming for the third (and final) automatic renewal period of September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation in the Department of Finance and Management, on behalf of the Office of Education, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with CELC prior to close-out of the 2024 Fiscal Year, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THERFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to establish an encumbrance for contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers for the period September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025 and for the payment of prior expenditures for services related thereto.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $3,061,735.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Finance and Management, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
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 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 6. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.