Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Franklin County Municipal Court is the busiest court in the state of Ohio. It continually strives to improve services to every litigant who appears before the Court and strives to be a wise and efficient steward of taxpayer resources. To this end, the Court charges a variety of court fees to provide additional support to the administration of its departments and programs.
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $5,218,238.00 for fiscal year 2025 within the following Franklin County Municipal Court Special Funds:
IDAT Fund - provide sufficient funds to pay the cost of attendance at court-ordered drug and alcohol treatment centers. The Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMH) Board administers the indigent driver alcohol treatment program of the Court, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 4511.191(N).
Security Fund - provide funds to pay the cost of staff, supplies, and services to promote the mission and support the security department efforts.
Dispute Resolution Fund - The Franklin County Municipal Court instituted its pre-filing mediation program for small claims cases in 1984; the program provides mediation services for individuals and businesses who wish to resolve their disputes and avoid filing a small claims case.
Home Incarceration Fund - provide sufficient funds to pay the cost of electronic monitoring and state-charged work release of probationers.
Specialized Dockets Fund - The Specialized Dockets consist of five programs that address drug and alcohol addiction, heroin addiction, mental health issues, and the special needs of human trafficking victims and veterans: The Solicitation Program (CATCH), Mental Health Program (LINC), Military and Veterans Program (MAVS), and the Addiction Programs (HART and RECOVERY COURT). Each docket has received certification after submitting written materials and undergoing a site review to ensure that statewide minimum standards are met. The Specialized Dockets hold criminal offenders accountable while linking them with comprehensive treatment and services, which reduces recidivism and increases community safety.
Self-Help Assisted Civil Fund - The program began in January 2016. The program provides information about the court system and non-legal assistance to civil litigants qualifying as indigent and appearing pro se before the Court.
Probation Fund - These funds are collected as a one-time probation supervision fee for all individuals placed under probation supervision by the Court, effective December 1, 1995. Amended Substitute House Bill Number 406 authorized the collection of said funds, signed into law in August 1994. These funds are intended to provide for specialized probation staff, the purchase of needed equipment, services, and other similar probation-related expenses not currently available to the Court's probation services department.
IDIAM Fund - to provide sufficient funds to pay the cost of attendance at court-ordered treatment centers.
FISCAL IMPACT: Sufficient funds are available within the above-listed funds to support the requested appropriation level for 2025.
EMERGENCY: An emergency is being requested to establish funds at the start of the 2025 budget year. This will allow the departments that operate under these funds to continue their services without interruption.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $5,218,238.00 from the 2025 unappropriated balance of the Franklin County Municipal Court Special Funds to the Franklin County Municipal Court for all anticipated expenses; and to declare an emergency. ($5,218,238.00)
Body
WHEREAS, an appropriation of $5,218,238.00 for fiscal year 2025 within the Franklin County Municipal Court’s Special Funds is necessary to continue with their services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court such that it is immediately necessary to appropriate the aforementioned funds in order for the Court to commence expending these funds on essential court services, thereby preserving the public health, peace, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the monies in the fund known as the computer system procurement & maintenance fund, fund no. 2227, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources during the 12 months ending December 31, 2025, there be and hereby are appropriated for the object level ones for which the city has to provide the following sums for use during the 12 months ending December 31, 2025:
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222703 (Probation Services)
See the attached breakdown of the fund by main account.
TOTAL $680,118
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222704 (Electronic Alcohol Monitoring (IDIAM))
Obj Class 03
Amount $250,000
TOTAL $250,000
TOTAL Fund No. 2227 $930,118
SECTION 2. That from the monies in the fund known as the municipal court special projects fund, fund no. 2226, and from all monies estimated to come into the said fund from any and all sources during the 12 months ending December 31, 2025, there be and hereby are appropriated for the object level ones for which the city has to provide the following sums for use during the 12 months ending December 31, 2025:
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222601 (Municipal Court Security Facilities)
See the attached breakdown of the fund by main account.
TOTAL $1,024,456
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222602 (Dispute Resolution)
Obj Class 01
TOTAL $64,520
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222603 (Home Incarceration)
Obj Class 03
Amount $50,000
TOTAL $50,000
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222604 (Specialty Docket Programs)
See the attached breakdown of the fund by main account.
TOTAL $2,395,912
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222605 (Assisted Civil Self Help - Indigent)
See the attached breakdown of the fund by main account.
TOTAL $203,232
TOTAL Fund No. 2226 $3,738,120
SECTION 3. That from the monies in the fund known as the municipal court special projects fund, fund no. 2225, and from all monies estimated to come into the said fund from any and all sources during the 12 months ending December 31, 2025, there be and hereby are appropriated for the object level ones for which the city has to provide the following sums for use during the 12 months ending December 31, 2025:
Division No. 2501 Municipal Court Judges Subfund 222501 (Indigent Drivers Alcohol Training (IDAT))
Obj Class 03
Amount $550,000
TOTAL $550,000
TOTAL Fund No. 2225 $550,000
SECTION 4. That the monies appropriated in Sections 1, 2, and 3 shall be paid upon the order of the Administrative and Presiding Judge, and that no Order shall be drawn down or paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. 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.