Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $168,838.19 between Departments within the General Fund for program operations related to the Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP).
The Franklin County Municipal Court had outsourced programming for its Batterer’s Intervention and Intimate Partner Domestic Violence programs. These programs assess the risks and needs of each defendant and determine appropriate levels of treatment, supervision, and community control.
The previously outsourced program encountered certain barriers and constraints related to financial/economic burden, absenteeism, limited group/program offerings, communication with program participants, breadth and depth of aftercare and supportive services, and recidivism reduction. In 2024, with support from the Office of Violence Prevention and the Franklin County Commissioners, the Court was able to insource components of the program, providing the Franklin County Municipal Court with greater flexibility and financial resources to improve services and outcomes. Program enhancements include free participation and expanded offerings to remove barriers related to employment, childcare, and financial burden, helping participants successfully complete the program. These programmatic enhancements help improve success rates and reduce recidivism.
The Office of Violence Prevention is partnering with the Franklin County Municipal Court and providing continuation program funding by transferring funds from the Office of Violence Prevention to the Franklin County Municipal Court for the second half of 2026 program costs.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $168,838.19 between Departments within the General Fund.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to avoid any delay in continuing the Batterer’s Intervention Program and to provide sufficient funding to close out 2026.
Title
To authorize the transfer of $168,838.19 between Departments within the General Fund for program operations related to the Batterer’s Intervention Program; and to declare an emergency. ($168,838.19)
Body
WHEREAS: The Office of Violence Prevention is dedicated to reducing and preventing violence of all forms within the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS: Domestic violence affects Columbus residents of all ages, races, and genders; and
WHEREAS: The Office of Violence Prevention is determined to support Mayor Ginther's vision to make Columbus the safest big city in America; and
WHEREAS: The purpose of a batterer's intervention program is to hold batterers accountable and to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of a recurring battery; and
WHEREAS: The Franklin County Municipal Court is continuing its programming related to its Batterer’s Intervention Programming and Intimate Partner Domestic Violence programs; and
WHEREAS: Bringing the programming in-house has alleviated certain barriers and constraints related to financial/economic burden, absenteeism, limited group/program offerings, communication with program participants, breadth and depth of aftercare and supportive services, and recidivism reduction; and
WHEREAS: In-sourcing components of the program allows the Franklin County Municipal Court more flexibility and financial resources to improve services and potential outcomes; and
WHEREAS: The Office of Violence Prevention is partnering with the Franklin County Municipal Court and is providing continuation program funding via a transfer of funds from the Office of Violence Prevention to the Franklin County Municipal Court for the second half of 2026 program costs; and
WHEREAS: an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Violence Prevention in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the transfer of $168,838.19 between Departments within the General Fund for program operations related to the Batterer’s Intervention Program to avoid any delay in providing critical assistance in these areas of community need, 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 transfer of $168,838.19 is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000 in Object Class 01 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. 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 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 for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.