Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to accept a grant in the amount of $39,443 from the State of Ohio, Crime Victim Assistance Office, and to appropriate from the unappropriated balance of the general government grant fund to the Probation Department of the Franklin County Municipal Court, the total amount of the grant. This grant will fund a portion of the salaries and fringe benefits of two (2) victim assistant staff for the continuation of a program to assist probation officers primarily in the domestic violence unit. The staff act as liaisons to the City Prosecutor and work with the victims of crime when a perpetrator has been placed on probation. In addition, this ordinance authorizes a transfer of $69,000 from the Court's special revenue fund, probation fees as a grant match to fund the balance of the salaries and fringe benefits not funded by the State of Ohio.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund resources are needed as the grant match is available from the Court's special revenue fund, probation fees.
Emergency legislation is requested to expedite funding for the new grant cycle as close to its commencement on October 1, 2008 as possible.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to accept a grant award from the State of Ohio, Crime Victims Assistance Office; to appropriate $39,443 from the unappropriated balance of the general government grant fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court; to transfer $69,000 from the Municipal Court special revenue fund, probation fees to the general government grant fund; and to declare an emergency. ($108,443.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to provide victim services in the Franklin County Municipal Court, Department of Probation Services; and
WHEREAS, a grant from the State of Ohio, Crime Victims Assistance Office in the amount of $39,443 has been awarded to provide a portion of the personnel costs; and
WHEREAS, a grant match in the amount of $69,000 will be provided by probation user fees for the remaining portion; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to accept the aforementioned grant to continue probationary services in the area of victim assistance and to appropriate and transfer the necessary funds for the program 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 Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to accept a grant in the amount of $39,443 from the State of Ohio, Crime Victims Assistance Office.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor be and is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $69,000 from the Franklin County Municipal Court, probation fees, fund number 227, subfund 003, oca 250324, object level 1 - 10, object level 3 - 5501 to the general government grant fund, fund number 220, grant number 258003, oca number 258003, object level 1 - 80, object level 3 - 0886.
SECTION 3. That from the unappropriated balance in the general government grant fund, fund 220, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and appropriated for any other purpose during the twelve months ending September 30, 2009, the sum of $108,443 is appropriated to the Franklin County Municipal Court, department number 2501 as follows: grant number 258003, oca 258003, object level 1 - 01, object level 3 - 1101.
SECTION 4. That the expenditure of $108,443 or as much as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court, department number 2501, general government grant fund, fund 220, grant number 258003, oca 258003, object level 1 - 1101.
SECTION 5. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 4 shall be paid upon the order of the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 6. That at the end of the grant term, the City Auditor is authorized to transfer the unused portion of the grant match, returning the funds to the Franklin County Municipal Court, probation fees, fund number 227, subfund 003.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that these transactions are properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records.
SECTION 8. 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.