Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $492,158 to the Information Services Internal Service Fund for cable debt service attributable to non-general fund agencies for various cable infrastructure improvements.
In 2003, the city's Government Television Channel incurred capital costs for infrastructure improvements. Initially, a portion of this debt service (the portion allocated to non-general fund agencies) was budgeted and serviced from the Cable Special Revenue Fund. These funds were recovered by billing non-general fund agencies a pro-rated share for this debt. (The balance of the debt, representing general fund agencies, was paid for by the Special Income Tax Fund [SIT].)
In 2006, all cable revenues and a portion of its liabilities have been shifted to the general fund. Liabilities not shifted to the Cable Fund were shifted to the Information Services Internal Service Fund. (to include personnel, supplies, services and other costs attributable to the Technology Department). It was determined that SIT serviced debt would continue to be budgeted in the SIT. However, no appropriation authority was established for payment of this portion of the debt. As such, it is necessary to create said authority so that the obligation into which the city entered in 2003 can be met in full. Non-general fund agencies do have adequate authority in their technology budget's to pay for this debt when billed as funds were included in their 2006 budgets for this expense.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is adequate cash in the Information Services Internal Service Fund cash balance to cover this appropriation. Passage of this ordinance will reduce this balance by the same amount.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: Emergency designation is requested as it is very important that these funds be in place to cover debt service payments when they come due.
Title
To authorize an appropriation in the amount of $492,158 from the unappropriated balance of the Information Services Internal Service Fund to pay debt service related to infrastructure improvements for the city's government television channel; to recognize that said debt formerly booked to the Cable Special Revenue Fund is now the obligation of the Information Services Internal Service Fund; to note that non-general fund agencies will be billed for this debt obligation as they have been in the past; and to declare an emergency ($492,158)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Technology's Telecommunication's Division incurred a debt service obligation when it contracted to upgrade its government television channel infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, these debt service costs were typically borne by the Special Income Tax Fund and the Cable Special Revenue Fund until this year; and
WHEREAS, beginning this year, a portion of this debt will be paid for out of the Information Services Internal Service Fund; and
WHEREAS, this change necessitates establishing additional appropriation authority in the Information Services Internal Service Fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Information Services Division in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate said funds for the preservation of public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies in the Information Services Internal Service Fund and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006, the sum of $492,158 is appropriated to the Technology Department, Information Services Division, Division Number 47-02 as follows for Fund 514:
OCA OL1 OL3 Total
280735 04 4410 424,617
280735 07 7411 67,541
492,158
SECTION 2. That the monies in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Director of Technology; 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 3. 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 approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.