Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to accept and appropriate $73,750.00 in grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program for the period of July 23, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
Franklin County’s FIMR program is an evidenced-based continuous quality improvement process. The primary purpose of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) is to provide community-based initiative that works to reduce fetal and infant deaths. Grant funding will support case reviews, maternal interviews, and community-based recommendations that address health equity and disparities affecting women, infants, and families. The program helps identify service system gaps and proposes solutions to improve outcomes, with a focus on high-risk populations in Columbus and Franklin County.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to ensure uninterrupted implementation of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program and to comply with the grant’s start date.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program grant does not generate revenue or require a City Match.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health and any additional funds for the FY26-27 Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) grant program; to authorize the appropriation of funds, including any additional funds, from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the FY26-27 FIMR grant program; and to declare an emergency. ($73,750.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $73,750.00 in grant funds have been made available to Columbus Public Health through the Ohio Department of Health for the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program for the period of July 23, 2025 through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Department of Health for continued support of the FIMR program, which works to reduce fetal and infant deaths through case reviews, maternal interviews, community action initiatives, and collaboration with community partners; and
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the FY26-27 FIMR program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the FY26-27 FIMR program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to accept and appropriate these grant funds to not delay these critical services and to adhere to the grant start date of July 23, 2025, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant award of $73,750.00 from the Ohio Department of Health for the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program for the period July 23, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department’s Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $73,750.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, upon receipt of an executed grant agreement.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner, 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the FY26-27 FIMR program.
SECTION 5. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources for the period ending June 30, 2027, any additional awarded funds are to be appropriated in Fund 2251 upon notification of award or executed agreement by the Ohio Department of Health according to the accounting codes provided by Columbus Public Health.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the FIMR program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department to carry out the purpose of the grant.
SECTION 7. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 8. 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 9. 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.