Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into contract with Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company (OBLIC), and authorize the expenditure of up to $5,300 from the Municipal Court General Fund. This policy will cover municipal court staff attorneys for liability claims due to errors and omissions. This will also allow for any additions and deletions that may be necessary during the contract period. The purchase of said insurance is authorized by the following section of the Ohio Revised Code:
Section 1901.38 | Liability coverage for municipal court judges and employees.
Effective: May 6, 1992
The legislative authority may procure insurance covering the judges of the municipal court and the employees of the municipal court, including but not limited to any deputy clerks, the bailiff of the municipal court and any deputy bailiffs, the assignment commissioner, and probation department personnel, in one or more policies, against liability arising from the duties of their office or employment, including liability on account of errors or omissions unknowingly made by them and for which they may be held liable.
The policy or policies of insurance shall be in an amount of not less than fifty thousand dollars. The premiums shall be paid from moneys appropriated by the legislative authority from funds available for that purpose.
Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company Federal Tax ID is 31-0947214.
Emergency Legislation is requested as the policy became effective on 11/7/25, and we need to pay the premiums so the staff attorneys are covered.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the 2025 Assisted Civil Self Help budget.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company OBLIC pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1901.38; to authorize the expenditure of up to $5,300.00 to provide professional liability insurance for staff attorneys from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges Funds; and to declare an emergency. ($5,300.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Court has determined that it is in its best interest to enter into contract with OBLIC to insure our staff attorneys; and
WHEREAS, this will also allow for any additions and deletions that may be necessary during the contract period.
WHEREAS, $5,300 is needed to provide for services;
WHEREAS, the provision of such insurance is authorized by Ohio Revised Code Section 1901.38; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into contract and authorize the expenditure for insurance of staff attorneys from OBLIC because the policy became effective on 11/7/25 and there is a need to pay the premiums so the staff attorneys are covered, 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company OBLIC for the insurance of staff attorneys pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1901.38.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $5,300 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges funds.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for 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.