Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to accept and appropriate $107,000.00 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Ohio Department of Health. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $107,000.00 in grant money to fund the Child Injury Prevention grant program, for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
This project will work with the Franklin County Suicide Coalition to develop a strategic plan to decrease youth suicides in Franklin County and will assist the coalition with the implementation of evidence-based strategies. The other component of this grant program is to promote the creation of policies for the Child Passenger Safety Toolkit, work with Franklin County agencies to implement the policies, and work more in depth with Franklin County Car Seat Fitting Stations to increase the communities' awareness and availability of locations the public can get their car seats checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.
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 due to the grant start period of October 1, 2025.
FISCAL IMPACT: The program is fully funded ($107,000.00) by the grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Ohio Department of Health and does not generate revenue or require a City Match.
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health and any additional funds for the Child Injury Prevention grant program; to authorize the appropriation of funds, including any additional funds, from the unappropriated balance of the Ohio Department of Health Grant Funds; and to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Child Injury Prevention grant program and to declare an emergency. ($107,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $107,000.00 in grant funds have been made available to Columbus Public Health through the Ohio Department of Health for the Child Injury Prevention grant program for the period of October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the continued support of the Child Injury Prevention grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Child Injury Prevention grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these additional funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Child Injury Prevention grant program; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Child Injury Prevention 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 and financial management; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to accept these grant funds from the Ohio Department Health and to appropriate these funds to Columbus Public Health prior to the grant program start date of October 1, 2025 and to avoid delay in client services, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to accept a grant award of $107,000.00 from the Ohio Department of Health for the Child Injury Prevention grant program for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department's Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $107,000.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, upon receipt of an executed grant agreement.
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 by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Child Injury Prevention grant program.
SECTION 5. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources for the period ending September 30, 2026, any additional awarded funds are to be appropriated in Fund 2251 upon notification of award or executed agreement by the Ohio Department of Health according to the accounting codes provided by Columbus Public Health.
SECTION 6.That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Child Injury Prevention grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department to carry out the purpose of the grant.
SECTION 7. 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 8. 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 9. That for 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 or vetoes the same.