Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County combines public and private funding through a variety of sources to support the development of housing within the City. Both rental units and homeownership projects are developed.
In 2009 the City will commit its annual contribution of the hotel/motel tax receipts to the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County at an estimated $1,125,000 or whatever greater or lesser sum of money may be received through the portion of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax fund allocated to the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County. The amount allocated ($1,125,000) is based on 0.43% in relation to the 5.1% total city rate, less $266,000. Ordinance 0495-2009, passed 3/30/09, transferred $150,000 from the Housing Trust Fund to the Health Special Revenue Fund to support the Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers. A subsequent ordinance will allocate $100,000 to the Municipal Court Judges for purposes of expanding the Specialty Court Docket, and $16,000 for the Municipal Court Clerk.
This legislation is presented as an emergency because of the need to continue program services without interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: This legislation authorizes and directs the appropriation and expenditure of 0.43% of the combined rates of 5.1% of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax fund, less $266,000, presently estimated at $1,125,000.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Development Department to enter into a contract with the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County to facilitate the production of affordable housing and enhance home ownership opportunities in Columbus; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of 0.43% (presently estimated at $1,125,000) of the combined rates of 5.1% of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax, less $266,000 to authorize the transfer of $116,000 to the Public Safety Initiatives Fund and to repeal ordinance 0657-2009; and to declare an emergency. ($1,125,000) (AMENDED BY ORD. 1057-2009 PASSED 7/20/2009)
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor commissioned a Columbus Housing Task Force (Task Force) in May 2000 to design the City's first housing trust fund and to recommend a structure whereby an Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County could facilitate the production of housing in Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the Housing Trust Fund is that 50% of the City's leveraged funding would go to benefit citizens who are at or below 60% of the median income; and
WHEREAS, Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, specifies that up to 0.43 percent of the combined rates of 5.1 percent of the revenues of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax are to be used to support the production of affordable housing and create home ownership opportunities within the city of Columbus through the Columbus Housing Trust; and
WHEREAS, ordinance 0495-2009, passed 3/30/09, transferred $150,000 from the Housing Trust Fund to the Health Special Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, an additional $116,000 will be allocated, $100,000 to the Municipal Court Judges for purposes of expanding the Specialty Court Docket, and $16,000 for the Municipal Court Clerk; and
WHEREAS, the City has determined to adjust the annual distribution of hotel/motel tax receipts to allow for on-going contributions in the amount of 0.43% (presently estimated at $1,125,000) of the combined rates of 5.1% of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax fund, less $150,000, to Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County for this effort and $116,000 for Municipal Court Judges and the Municipal Court Clerk; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development, Housing Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of said funds for the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County to continue program services without interruption, in order to preserve the public peace, health, safety, and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the Director of the Development Department is hereby authorized to enter into a contract with the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County to support the production of affordable housing in the City of Columbus.
Section 2. For the purpose of paying the costs thereof, $1,009,000 is hereby deemed appropriated and authorized to be expended from the Department of Development, Division No. 44-10, the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund 236, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3336, OCA Code 236002.
Section 3. That the City Auditor be authorized to appropriate and transfer $116,000 as follows:
From:
Fund 236 Hotel/Motel Excise Tax, Div 44-01, OCA 236002, OL3 5501
To:
Fund 016 Public Safety Initiatives, Div 44-01, OCA 441601, OL3 0886
Section 4. Said contract shall provide for payment by the City for such services in accordance with Chapter 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Section 5. That Ordinance 0657-2009, passed May 11, 2009 is hereby repealed.
Section 6. That in 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.