Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to establish an imprest petty cash operating fund for the three markets for the reimbursement to farmers who accept the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) services for market customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Produce Perks Farmers Market Nutrition Incentive program tokens as payment during the markets, in the amount of $5,000.00. Columbus Public Health (CPH) is hosting three farmers’ markets in 2024. The markets in 2024 will be held on July 25, August 1, and August 8, 2024.
At each market, the CPH Farmers Market Staff will swipe customer Ohio Directions EBT cards and provide one token for each $1.00 in SNAP benefits they redeem plus a matching Produce Perks token for each $1.00 in SNAP benefits redeemed up to a maximum of $25.00 per EBT transaction. Customers will shop at the markets, using the tokens provided. At the end of each market, the CPH Farmers Market Staff will reimburse the farmers $1.00 for each SNAP token received and $1.00 for each Produce Perks token they have accepted as payment during the market. To facilitate this, a cash box will be required at each of the three farmers markets. After the market, reimbursement will be submitted immediately. Columbus Public Health will be reimbursed after the conclusion of the three markets for SNAP benefits redeemed and Produce Perks.
Emergency action is requested in order to have the cash available to reimburse farmers after the first market held on July 25th, 2024.
Fiscal Impact: To provide the sum of $5,000.00 to create an imprest petty cash fund for the three farmers' markets held at three community locations. Due to construction, farmers markets are not being held at Columbus Public health. At the conclusion of the markets, remaining cash is deposited back into the City fund and all disbursed cash is reimbursed and deposited. There is zero net cost to the City to provide the petty cash fund.
Title
To authorize the establishment of an imprest petty cash operating fund for the Columbus Public Health farmers' markets to be held this summer; to authorize a transfer within the operating fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $5,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($5,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health will host three farmer’s markets at community locations; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary to establish an imprest pretty cash fund for the reimbursement to farmers for the SNAP and Produce Perks programs; and
WHEREAS, funding for the imprest petty cash fund will come from the Columbus Public Health Operating Fund Budget; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists and that it is immediately necessary to establish an imprest petty cash fund in order to reimburse farmers that participate in the SNAP/Produce Perks program after the first market held on July 25, 2024, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the imprest petty cash fund for Columbus Public Health is hereby established in the amount of $5,000.00.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor shall transfer appropriations from object level 03 to object level 05 - Other Expenditures, according to the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor shall upon receipt of a voucher approved by the Health Commissioner of Columbus Public Health provide the sum of $5,000.00, which is hereby authorized for expenditure from the Columbus Public Health Operating Fund budget.
SECTION 4. That the imprest petty cash fund, as established by $5,000.00 shall be operated by the Columbus Public Health Farmers Market Staff, who shall keep an accurate accounting of such monies.
SECTION 5. That the Columbus Public Health Farmers Market Staff will submit reimbursement from the SNAP and Produce Perks programs that same day of the farmer’s markets.
SECTION 6. That the auditor has the authority to establish such accounting codes as necessary in order to carry out the purpose of this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That for 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.