Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $98,000.00 within the General Fund for membership dues and subscriptions for various organizations. The City maintains memberships and subscriptions with various national, state and regional organizations. This ordinance authorizes payments to the National League of Cities, the Ohio Municipal League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the National Civic League, Hannah News Service, and the Government Finance Officers' Association. As a member of these organizations, the City of Columbus receives many benefits including seminars, publications, and access to a nationwide pool of municipal leaders who share similar challenges, concerns, and initiatives.
Emergency action is requested such that these important memberships continue without interruption, as they are year long subscriptions and memberships.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds in the amount of $98,000.00 were budgeted within the Financial Management Division for this expense. In 2010, $94,611.00 was appropriated for these expenses.
Title
To authorize and direct the Director of Finance and Management to establish purchase orders for the payment of annual membership dues for the City of Columbus for the National League of Cities, the Ohio Municipal League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the National Civic League, Hannah News Service, and the Government Finance Officers' Association; to authorize the expenditure of $98,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency ($98,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the city to maintain memberships in the National League of Cities, the Ohio Municipal League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the National Civic League, Hannah News Service, and the Government Finance Officers' Association; and
WHEREAS, to maintain these memberships, the City of Columbus must pay dues totaling $98,000.00; and
WHEREAS, funds are budgeted within the Department of Finance and Management's Division of Financial Management for these memberships; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Finance and Management Department, Financial Management Division, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Finance and Management Director to pay membership fees for various important organizations so these useful memberships may continue without interruption, 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 expenditure of $98,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary be and is hereby authorized from the General Fund, Fund 10, Department of Finance and Management, Division of Financial Management, Division 45-01, OCA Code 450015, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3333, to pay the cost of memberships in the National League of Cities, the Ohio Municipal League, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of Black Mayors, the National Civic League, Hannah News Service, and the Government Finance Officers' Association.
SECTION 2. That for 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 or vetoes the same.