Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to accept and appropriate $266,760.00 in funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the Lead Safe Housing Fund, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
The Lead Safe Housing Fund will increase Columbus Public Health’s ability to educate the public on lead poisoning prevention activities, the importance of screening children under age six, and the availability of lead-free alternatives to prevent lead exposure from occurring. The Fund will expand lead testing for children under six at CPH clinics and events and provide lead safety education to physicians, expectant and new mothers, and caregivers.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION:
Columbus Public Health has not received the official agreement for these funds, which was scheduled to start on July 1, 2025, and only received notice of funding on August 5, 2025; therefore, this ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to not delay these critical services and to ensure funds are available once CPH receives the executed agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT: The program is fully funded by the Ohio Department of Health and does not generate revenue or require a City match ($266,760.00).
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept funds from the Ohio Department of Health, plus any additional funds for the Lead Safe Housing Fund; to authorize the appropriation of funds, including any additional funds, from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Lead Safe Housing Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($266,760.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $266,760.00 in funds have been made available to Columbus Public Health through the Ohio Department of Health for the Lead Safe Housing Fund, for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Lead Safe Housing Fund; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Lead Safe Housing Fund; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these additional funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Lead Safe Housing Fund; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Lead Safe Housing Fund as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to accept and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Department of Health to not delay these critical services and to adhere to the funds start date of July 1, 2025, all for the immediate preservation of 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept funding of $266,760.00 from the Ohio Department of Health for the Lead Safe Housing Fund, for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Departments Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the funding period ended June 30, 2027, the sum of $266,760.00 and any available interest earned during the funding period is hereby appropriated to The Health Department, Division 5001, per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance, 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 Lead Safe Housing Fund.
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 June 30, 2027, 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 Lead Safe Housing Fund as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department to carry out the purpose of the agreement.
SECTION 7. At the end of the funding period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the funder 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 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 nor vetoes the same.