Explanation
Background:
This legislation authorizes the appropriation of $50,000 within the Neighborhood Initiatives Subfund. It further authorizes the expenditure of aforementioned $50,000 plus an additional $30,000 from the Columbus City Attorney’s General Fund to contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus to support guided case management services for Columbus residents enrolled in the Buckeye Diversion criminal deflection program.
Through Buckeye Diversion, Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus Community Health Workers utilize the Pathways Community HUB case management tool to assist justice-involved individuals in identifying and documenting issues at the root cause of criminal behavior then tracking progress on actions taken to address those issues. Services provided and documented by Community Health Workers include, but are not limited to:
§ Registration for food assistance programs
§ Connection with primary care physicians and mental or behavioral health providers
§ Access to housing support services
§ Enrollment in education programs and childcare assistance
Criminal deflection services are a vital part of the City of Columbus’ commitment to creating brighter futures for all residents. It is critical to allocate funds for evidence-based criminal diversion efforts that address basic needs, increase linkage with health/mental health supports and improve access to education and job training.
Bid Information:
The Columbus City Attorney requests authorization to waive competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Code to contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus as the sole source provider for access to their proprietary Pathways Community HUB case management tool that supports Medicaid billing for eligible case management transactions. The ability to bill Medicaid for eligible services generates some program revenue reducing the overall cost of the program.
Contract Compliance:
Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus: CC-008966, 5/1/2027
This company is not debarred according to the Federal Government’s Excluded Parties List System and is not prohibited from being awarded a contract under the Auditor of State’s Unresolved Findings for Recovery Certified Search.
Fiscal Impact:
Total Council appropriation is $50,000.00 and is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
The Columbus City Attorney has $30,000.00 in their approved 2026 budget for Buckeye Diversion and requests authorization to enter into an $80,000 service contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus for guided case management services.
Emergency:
This is emergency legislation. The current contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus ended April 30th, 2026, therefore it is imperative to approve appropriation and contract execution to ensure ongoing access to critical support services for Buckeye Diversion participants.
Title
To authorize an appropriation of $50,000 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize the expenditure of $80,000.00 within the General Fund; to authorize the City Attorney to enter into contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus to provide guided case management services for Columbus residents enrolled in the Buckeye Diversion criminal deflection program; to waive the competitive bidding provisions of the Columbus City Codes; and to declare an emergency. ($80,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, there is a need within the Columbus City Attorney’s Office for a guided case management services for Buckey Diversion enrollees; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council has elected to invest $50,000 to support the success of the Buckey Diversion; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney desires to accept said investment; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has $30,000 in their General Fund for Buckey Diversion; and
WHEREAS, this legislation approves reimbursements retroactive to April 30, 2026 for services rendered prior to final contact execution and prior to the issuance of a purchase order; and
WHEREAS, Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus Community Health Workers utilize the Pathways Community HUB case management tool to assist justice-involved individuals in identifying and documenting issues at the root cause of criminal behavior then tracking progress on actions taken to address those issues; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to waive competitive bidding provisions of City Code Chapter 329 and contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus as the sole source provider for access to proprietary Pathways Community HUB case management tool offering Medicaid billing functionality for eligible case management transactions. The ability to bill Medicaid for eligible services generates some revenue reducing the overall cost of the program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a total contract expenditure of $80,000 with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus to support guided case management service; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Columbus City Attorney’s Office to immediately enter into contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus to ensure Buckeye Diversion participants have ongoing access to critical support services for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $50,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to enter into a service contract with Health Impact Ohio/Health Access Columbus to provide guided case management services for Columbus residents enrolled in the Buckeye Diversion criminal deflection program.
SECTION 3. That per the action authorized in Section 2 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $80,000.00, or so much thereof as is needed, is hereby authorized in the general fund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this Council finds it to be in the best interests of the City to waive the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of City Code relating to Competitive bidding for this purchase and does hereby waive the same.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. 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 7. That for the 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 approved by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.