Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) to enter into a 12-month contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc in an amount of up to $224,034.00 for Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services.
Historically, BZS’ fees have been updated every five years. The current fee model was intended to cover expenses charged to the Development Services Fund during building plan, zoning, and site development review and inspection. While successful in the past, recent fluctuations in the construction industry caused by the global pandemic and more recent economic uncertainty have caused the number of permits and the size of projects to decline.
In addition, the department has grown through the adoption of the Code Enforcement, License, and Weights & Measures Sections from other City agencies. The City determined these sections to be operationally aligned with the mission and duties of BZS. However, neither the existing BZS fee schedule revenue nor the fees and fines currently charged by these new sections are sufficient to support these expenses.
BZS has a need for Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services to assist with a comprehensive review of the department’s fee structure, business environment, and expenses for the recommendation of fee changes which meet the department’s goals, the presentation of best practices not currently utilized by the department, and the provision of an adaptable fee model that can be adjusted as the department changes.
BZS solicited Requests for Proposals (RFP), per City Code Section 329.28, for this project, which was formally advertised on the Bonfire portal from March 16, 2026 to April 24, 2026. The evaluation committee, consisting of representatives from BZS, evaluated the proposals for all offerors and determined that Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc was the best offeror based upon evaluation criteria specified in the RFP. The BZS Director subsequently authorized contract negotiations between the City and Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc, which were successful.
EMERGENCY
Emergency action is requested to expedite authorization of this contract so that the Consultant can promptly begin the process of evaluating BZS’ current fee structure, business environment and expenses with the goal of implementing a new fee schedule in early 2027 to promote future financial health.
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Vendor: Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc (D365 Vendor Acct. No: 011256)
Certification #: CC-011256 - Exp: 4/7/2028
The company is not disbarred according to the excluded party listing system of the Federal Government or prohibited from being awarded a contract according to the Auditor of State unresolved finding for recovery certified search.
Ohio Secretary of State Entity Number 2341334
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding for this contract is available in Fund 2240, the Development Services Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services to enter into a professional service contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc for Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services; to authorize an expenditure within the Development Services Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($224,034.00)
Body
WHEREAS, BZS has a need for a Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services, for the recommendation of fee changes which meet the department’s goals, the presentation of best practices not currently utilized by the department, and the provision of an adaptable fee model that can be adjusted as the department changes; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Building and Zoning Services solicited Requests for Proposals for this Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services contract per Columbus City Code Section 329.28; and
WHEREAS, Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc was determined by the evaluation committee to have the best proposal, and the Building and Zoning Services Director subsequently authorized negotiations with the firm; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to enter into a contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc for the provision of Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services described above in the amount of up to $224,034.00; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Building and Zoning Services in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a service contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc so the Consultant can begin the process of evaluating BZS’ current fee structure, business environment and expenses with the goal of implementing a new fee schedule in early 2027 to promote future financial health , thereby preserving the public health, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of the Department of Building and Zoning Services be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into a professional services contract with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc for Fee Study and Cost Recovery Consultation services in an amount up to $224,034.00, for a period of twelve months.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $224,034.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Department of Building and Zoning Services, Division No. 43-01, Development Services Fund, Fund 2240, in object class 03 Purchased Services per the accounting codes in the attachment 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 funds are hereby appropriated and expenditures authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.