Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with Experience Columbus for marketing services to increase tourism and convention business and for the disbursement of the Hotel/Motel excise tax proceeds in accordance with Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes which, in part, designates a portion of funds for the purpose of promoting Columbus. For 2024, that portion of the Hotel/Motel excise tax is projected to be $12,878,000.00 and is provided to Experience Columbus per this ordinance. An amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the funds granted pursuant to this agreement may be used for food and non-alcoholic beverages directly associated with a public purpose.
Experience Columbus is the county convention and visitors bureau and provides marketing services to increase tourism and convention business. These services require expertise that cannot be provided by current city employees.
Emergency action is requested so that tax proceeds can be disbursed without delay to ensure timely payments so that marketing services increasing tourism and convention business can continue in the greater Columbus area with no interruption in service.
Experience Columbus, Contract Compliance#: FID: 314153118. CC#: CC-006014 (non-profit).
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes an expenditure of $12,878,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund with Experience Columbus for marketing services related to increasing tourism and convention business for the City of Columbus. These funds are budgeted in the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax fund for these services. Funding for this contract will come from receipts into the Hotel/Motel tax fund in accordance with Section 371.02 (c) of the Columbus City Codes and with Section 329.30 relating to non-profit service contracts exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).
This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2024 operating budget.
Title
To authorize the Finance and Management Director to contract with Experience Columbus for marketing services to increase tourism and convention business and strengthen the image of the City of Columbus, Ohio; to authorize the expenditure of $12,878,000.00 from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund; and to declare an emergency ($12,878,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, Section 371.02(c) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, specifies that 2.39% of the combined rates of 5.1% of the revenues of the hotel/motel excise tax are to be used for the promotion of the City of Columbus as a desirable location for conventions, tourism, trade shows, and similar events; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned rates were established pursuant to Ordinance 0484-2014; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3013-2023 appropriated $12,878,000.00 from the monies in the fund known as the Hotel-Motel Tax Fund, Fund No. 2231, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources during the 12 months ending December 31, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the city and its citizens benefit economically, culturally, and otherwise from these marketing services, and it is in the best interest of the city and its citizens to encourage and support the services of Experience Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the Experience Columbus Board of Directors will dedicate funding in its annual budget for economic and human growth, collaborative image/brand awareness and increased quality of life for residents by measuring growth of key data points on a community score card; and
WHEREAS, this contract is awarded pursuant to provisions relating to non-profit services of City Code Chapter 329; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it has become necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to enter into contract with Experience Columbus for the purpose of marketing services to increase tourism and convention business so that the services can begin without delay to ensure timely payments so that marketing services increasing tourism and convention business can continue in the greater Columbus area with no interruption in service, thereby preserving 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 Director of the Finance and Management Department is hereby authorized to contract with Experience Columbus for marketing the City of Columbus, so as to increase cultural, educational, religious, professional and sports-related visits and conventions in the city, thus boosting the economy and creating more jobs.
SECTION 2. That said contract shall provide for payment by the city for such services in accordance with Chapter 371.02(c) of Columbus City Codes and 2.39% of the combined rates of 5.1% of the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax, currently estimated at $12,878,000.00, is hereby authorized to be expended from the Hotel/Motel Excise Tax Fund 2231, Sub-Fund 223105 in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord. 0417-2024 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of Columbus City Code Chapter 329.30 relating to not-for-profit service contracts exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. 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.