Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the Ohio Department of Health. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $350,000.00 in grant monies to fund the STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program, for the period August 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024. The total amount funded for this period is $350,000.00.
The STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program seeks to maximize STI screening and treatment opportunities to achieve the Ending the HIV Epidemic goals. Columbus Public Health seeks to achieve this objective by enhancing HIV and STI screening services that are available in community settings. Ending the HIV Epidemic initiatives are also being utilized by community engagement, HIV prevention education, and outreach.
Emergency action is requested 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 to meet deliverables required by grantor and reduces the risk of being in forfeiture of grant funds.
FISCAL IMPACT: STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic Grant Program is entirely funded by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and does not generate revenue or require a City match. ($350,000.00)
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $350,000.00 and any additional funds for STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program; to authorize the appropriation of $350,000.00 and 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 STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program; to authorize the expenditure of said grant funds; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $350,000.00 in grant funds have been made available from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program for the period of August 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of the STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program; and,
WHEREAS, ODH has tasked Columbus Public Health (CPH) to improve the efficiency of the reallocation of funds as necessary in order to minimize unused funds to the greatest extent possible in order to maximize the available services and to avoid potential penalties related to future grants; and
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of the STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic 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, accurate reporting and financial management. This assists in allowing program to meet grant deliverables that are required by the grantor and to reduce risk of being in forfeiture of grant funds; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Public Health Department in that it is immediately necessary to accept these grant funds through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to appropriate these funds to the Public Health Department to ensure the immediate delivery of essential Ending the HIV Epidemic services and to prevent the forfeiture of grant funds, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; 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 $350,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Ohio Department of Health for STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program for the period August 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the sum of $350,000.00 is appropriated in Fund 2251 The Health Department Grants Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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. 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 5. 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 6. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program for the period August 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.
SECTION 7. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 any additional awarded funds are appropriated in Fund 2251 according to notification of award or grant agreement by the grantor.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the STI Opportunities to End the HIV Epidemic grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health Department.
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.