Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This legislation requests transfer of funding between OCAs within the existing appropriations of the operating funds of the Divisions of Electricity, Sewerage and Drainage and Water in order to fund a consolidation of fiscal, human resources and public information within the Director's Office of the Department of Public Utilities. An increase in authorized strength within the Director's Office is being requested along with a corresponding decrease in strength in each of the affected divisions. Consolidation of services within the Director's Office will allow development of a consistent focus in each of the subject areas and will result in greater responsiveness to the internal needs of the divisions and the department and the department's ability to serve the needs of its customers and the public at large.
This ordinance is requested as an emergency measure so that the consolidation of the subject services can be accomplished at the earliest possible date. Of key importance will be the establishment of a departmental budget team to prepare the 2006 Operating Budgets and the CIB/CIP Budget. It is imperative that personnel be in place and procedures developed as early as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No increase in overall department funding is requested. Transfer of funds will occur within the existing appropriations of the divisions and the department. Funds will be transferred from OCA appropriations of the divisions to OCAs within the Director's Office within the same division enterprise funds. (See Attached Spreadsheet For Funding Information)
Title
To authorize the transfer of appropriations within the enterprise operating funds of the Divisions of Electricity, Sewerage and Drainage and Water to provide funding for a consolidation of fiscal, human resources and public information services in the Director of Public Utilities Office, and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, a consolidation of fiscal, human resources and public information services within the Director's Office of the department of Public Utilities will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of services delivered to internal and external customers of the department and to the public at large; and
WHEREAS, consolidation will be accomplished through the transfer of funding within the current appropriations of the enterprise funds of the divisions and will result in no increased cost of operations; and
WHEREAS, authorized strength reductions within divisions and a corresponding increase in strength within the Director's Office has been requested; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public utilities in that it is immediately necessary to transfer funds within the enterprise operating funds of the Divisions of Electricity, Sewerage and Drainage and Water in order to fund a consolidation of services within the Director of Public Utilities Office for the preservation of the public peace, property, health and safety; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations within the Operating Funds of the Divisions of Sewerage and Drainage, Electricity and Water and the Office of the Director of public Utilities as follows:
(See attached Excel File)
SECTION 2. 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.