Explanation
Background:
The City Attorney’s Office maintains four existing escrow accounts with the Franklin, Delaware, and Pickaway County Recorders for payment of recording, filing, and related recorder fees incurred in carrying out City Attorney’s Office responsibilities. These accounts were established historically through letters, memorandums, and email approvals rather than through a single authorizing ordinance. Available records identify the Franklin County Land Acquisition account as established by letter in 2003 and the Franklin County Environmental account as approved by the City Auditor’s Office by email in 2015. This ordinance formally recognizes and authorizes the existing accounts, establishes maximum balances, and provides for their continued administration and replenishment subject to applicable fiscal controls.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance formalizes four existing county recorder escrow accounts with combined authorized maximum balances of $25,000. No additional appropriation or immediate expenditure is requested. Land Acquisition Fund expenditures are supported by appropriations established through the annual budget process; Environmental Fund appropriations are made separately as needed, subject to available cash. As of October 29, 2026, the existing escrow account balances are as follows:
|
Division |
Fund |
County Recorder |
Maximum Balance |
Current Balance |
|
2401 - City Attorney / PAT |
2297 - Environmental |
Franklin County |
$10,000 |
$6,908.00 |
|
2404 - Real Estate |
5525 - Land Acquisition |
Franklin County |
$10,000 |
$9,250.00 |
|
2404 - Real Estate |
5525 - Land Acquisition |
Delaware County |
$2,500 |
$1,245.00 |
|
2404 - Real Estate |
5525 - Land Acquisition |
Pickaway County |
$2,500 |
$697.00 |
|
Combined Total |
|
|
$25,000 |
$18,100.00 |
The balances above are a dated snapshot of existing escrow funds, not additional funding requested or new authorized account limits.
Delaware County Recorder | V# 006181 | FID 31-6400065
Franklin County Recorder | V# 006183 | FID 31-6400067
Pickaway County Recorder | V# 006189 | FID 31-6400083
Title
To authorize the City Attorney’s Office to maintain and replenish escrow accounts with the Franklin County Recorder, Delaware County Recorder, and Pickaway County Recorder for payment of recording and related fees; to establish authorized maximum balances for such accounts; and to provide for administration and reconciliation of the accounts. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City Attorney’s Office incurs recording, filing, and related fees in connection with its Environmental and Land Acquisition activities; and
WHEREAS, escrow accounts maintained with county recorders permit such fees to be paid as documents are presented for recording and related services are provided; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney’s Office has maintained such accounts under historical correspondence and approvals and desires to formally authorize their continued maintenance and replenishment; and
WHEREAS, fees for county recorder services are prescribed in applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, including Sections 317.32 and 317.36; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
Section 1. That the City Attorney’s Office is hereby authorized to continue to maintain the following existing escrow accounts with the designated county recorders, subject to the maximum balance specified for each account:
|
Division |
Fund |
County Recorder |
Maximum Balance |
|
2401 - City Attorney / PAT |
2297 - Environmental |
Franklin County |
$10,000 |
|
2404 - Real Estate |
5525 - Land Acquisition |
Franklin County |
$10,000 |
|
2404 - Real Estate |
5525 - Land Acquisition |
Delaware County |
$2,500 |
|
2404 - Real Estate |
5525 - Land Acquisition |
Pickaway County |
$2,500 |
Section 2. That funds deposited in the accounts identified in Section 1 shall be used solely to pay legal recording, filing, copying, certification, and related fees charged by the respective county recorder in connection with authorized City Attorney’s Office activities chargeable to the identified fund.
Section 3. That the City Attorney’s Office is hereby authorized to continue replenishing the escrow accounts identified in Section 1 in accordance with existing procedures approved by the City Auditor, subject to available appropriations, available funds, and applicable expenditure authorization requirements. No replenishment shall cause an account balance to exceed its authorized maximum.
Section 4. That the escrow accounts shall be administered, documented, and reconciled in accordance with applicable City financial policies and procedures established by the City Auditor.
Section 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.