Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to accept and appropriate $10,000.00 in grant funds from Delta Dental Foundation for the Dental Sealant Grant program, for the period September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027
The primary purpose of the Dental Sealant Program is to prevent dental caries among school children through an evidence-based community approach. The program targets higher-risk schools in order to reach higher-risk children. The program currently serves students in second, third, sixth and seventh grades.
The Dental Sealant Program provides services to participating schools during scheduled service periods that are coordinated with school calendars and the availability of students. Because these service opportunities occur during specific periods of the school year, a delay in the acceptance and appropriation of the grant funds could delay the purchase of necessary dental sealant supplies and prevent the program from providing services during scheduled school visits. As a result, some participating schools and eligible students could miss their scheduled opportunity to receive dental sealant services during the applicable school service period. Emergency action is therefore necessary to ensure supplies are available when services begin and to prevent interruption or delay of services to eligible students.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency to continue the support the purchasing of supplies for the Dental Sealant program.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Delta Dental Foundation grant does not generate revenue or require a City Match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the Delta Dental Foundation in the amount of $10,000.00 for the purchase of supplies for the Dental Sealant Grant program that prevents dental caries among school children through an evidence-based community approach; to authorize the appropriation of $10,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($10,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $10,000.00 in grant funds have been made available through the Delta Dental Foundation for the purchase of supplies for the Dental Sealant grant program for the period of September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Delta Dental Foundation for the continued support of the Dental Sealant grant program; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance is submitted as an emergency to not delay services to school children and to allow the financial transactions to be posted in the City’s accounting system as soon as possible given the grant start date of September 1, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, a delay in accepting and appropriating the grant funds would delay the purchase of necessary supplies for the Dental Sealant Program and could result in participating schools missing their scheduled service period, thereby preventing eligible students at those schools from receiving dental sealant services during the applicable school year; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Delta Dental Foundation for the support of the Dental Sealant grant program; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these additional funds from the Dental Sealant grant program or the support of the Dental Sealant grant program; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Dental Sealant Grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to accept and appropriate grant funds from the Delta Dental Foundation for the purchase of necessary supplies to ensure supplies are available when services begin and to prevent the interruption or delay of dental sealant services to eligible school children during scheduled school visits to avoid missing the opportunity to receive the dental sealant services, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to accept a grant award of $10,000.00 from the Delta Dental Foundation for the purchase of supplies for the Dental Sealant grant program for the period September 1, 2026 through August 31, 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 $10,000.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, according to the attached accounting document and 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 upon 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 Delta Dental Foundation for the support of the Dental Sealant grant 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 Delta Dental Foundation 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 Dental Sealant grant 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. 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 hereby 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.