Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance transfers funds within various divisions within the general fund to reflect the realignment of departmental responsibilities with respect to management of city assets. This realignment, accomplished through separate code change legislation, places within a single agency; the Department of Finance and Management, (formerly known as the Department of Finance) the responsibility for overall management of land used for city operations (except rights-of-way and utility easements) and prescribed buildings. The responsibilities of this department will include the management of city real property and certain facilities used for city operations, allowing a centralized decision-making process based upon a cost-benefit analysis that will benefit all departments involved with real estate purchases, leases, new construction, renovation, determination of space utilization, and building management and maintenance.
This realignment involves the transfer of the Facilities Management Division to, and the creation of a new Office of Real Estate Management in, the Department of Finance and Management. The Real Estate Management Office will be staffed by transferring six of the thirteen employees currently assigned to Development's Land Management Office. This new office will assume responsibility for the management, acquisition, sale, and leasing of real property used for city operations not involving rights-of-way or utility easements. (The responsibility for non-operating real estate being held for possible redevelopment will remain in the Land Management Office, which will be renamed the Land Redevelopment Office.) A new Assistant Director for Asset Management within the Department of Finance and Management will lead the activities outlined above for the realigned department and will coordinate the work of the Facilities Management Division and Real Estate Management Office.
To accomplish the realignment, the remaining balance within the Facilities Management Division's general fund appropriation will be transferred to the Department of Finance and Management, as will the portion of the Public Service Director's Office which supports the fiscal, legislative and human resources functions for the Facilities Management Division. In addition, those funds required to support the activities of the new Real Estate Management Office will be transferred from the Office of Land Management.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This realignment requires no additional funds. Funds will be transferred between divisions within the general fund to reflect the realignment of departmental responsibilities with respect to management of city assets. No additional appropriation is necessary.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to provide for the transfer of $788,740 between various objects and divisions within the general fund, $35,524 within the print services fund and any unencumberred balances within the Facilities Management Division to reflect realignment of departmental responsibilities with respect to the management of city assets and to transfer administrative authority for all contracts and agreements associated with the departmental realignment to the Director of the Department of Finance and Management ($824,264).
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to centralize the decision-making process within a single agency for overall management of city land and buildings not related to rights-of-way and utility easements; and
WHEREAS, the responsibilities of the Finance Department will be expanded to include the management of city real estate and facilities used for city operations not involving rights-of-way and utility easements, allowing a centralized decision-making process based upon a cost-benefit analysis that will benefit all departments involved with real estate purchases, leases, new construction, renovation, determination of space utilization, and building management and maintenance; and
WHEREAS, a renamed Department of Finance and Management will reflect the addition of major new management responsibilities being added to the Finance Department; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer $788,740 between various objects and divisions within the general fund and $35,524 within the print services fund to reflect this realignment of departmental responsibilities, now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1.. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $788,740 between various objects and divisions within the general fund, fund 010, as follows:
Refer to attachment gftrans.xls
SECTION 2.. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer $35,524 between various objects and divisions within the print services fund, fund 517, as follows:
Refer to attachment pstrans.xls
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer all remaining unencumbered balances within the general fund, fund 010, Department/Division 59-07 to Department/Division 45-07.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer all remaining unencumbered balances within the print services fund, fund 517, Department/Division 45-01 to Department/Division 45-50.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer all remaining unencumbered balances within the general fund, fund 010, Department/Division 45-01 OCA, 451138 to Department/Division 45-50 OCA, 450035.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to transfer all remaining unencumbered balances within the general fund, fund 010, Department/Division 45-01, OCA 451104 to Department/Division 45-50 OCA, 450036.
SECTION 7. That the Director of the Department of Finance and Management is hereby authorized, as the successor upon reorganization, to administer all contracts and to act for and in behalf of the city and with all the powers and authority originally granted to the Directors of Public Service and Development with respect to all authority being transferred to the new department.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to pay obligations of the Department of Finance and Management pertaining to preceding years' obligations from current appropriations up to a maximum of $25,000 per obligation.
SECTION 9. That the transfers included within this ordinance shall be made effective August 28, 2005.
SECTION 10. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.