Explanation
Background:
This legislation authorizes the City Attorney to accept State Victims Award Act (SVAA) and federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant funding from the Ohio Office of the Attorney General, Crime Victims Section. Grant funding supports the City Attorney’s Domestic Violence and Stalking Unit’s (DVSU) Victim Advocacy program. Award dollars fund: 1) salary for 3.93 full-time Domestic DVSU Advocates; 2) in-state professional development for DVSU staff; 3) bus passes for victims and prosecuting witnesses; and 4) program supplies.
This program guides and supports victims of misdemeanor domestic violence and related crimes as they navigate legal processes and systems. In addition, advocates provide information on victim rights; do one on one safety planning and connect victims and their families with community-based services and resources. This ordinance authorizes the acceptance and appropriation of grant funds and transfers and appropriates the matching funds required by the award contract.
The SVAA grant is a $2,900 award requiring no City match. The VOCA grant is $160,686.24 award requiring a 20% ($40,171.56) match for a total appropriation of $203,757.80.
Fiscal Impact:
SVAA is a $2,900 State of Ohio award requiring no City match. VOCA is a $160,686.24 federal award administered by the State of Ohio requiring a 20% cash match ($40,171.56). Matching funds are included in the City Attorney 2023 General Fund budget.
Grant Period: 10/01/23 - 09/30/24
State Share SVAA (2024-SVAA-135500343): $ 2,900
Matching Funds (2024-SVAA-135500343): $ 0
Total Grant Project: $ 2,900
State Share VOCA (2024-VOCA-135500340): $ 160,686.24
Matching Funds (2024-VOCA-135500340): $ 40,171.56
Total Grant Project: $ 200,857.80
Total SVAA + VOCA awards: $ 163,586.24
Total combined grant awards + match $ 203,757.80
Emergency Action:
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency as to not delay access to grant funding for material purchases and staff expenses required to achieve the goals and objectives outlined in the award contracts.
Title
To authorize the City Attorney to accept State Victims Award Act (SVAA) and federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding from the Office of the Ohio Attorney General in the amount of $163,586.24 to support victim advocacy services; to authorize the transfer of matching funds in the amount of $40,171.56 from the General Fund; to authorize total appropriation of $203,757.80; and to declare an emergency. ($203,757.80).
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Attorney General has awarded the Columbus City Attorney's Office grant funding in the amount of $163,586.24 to support victim advocacy services;
WHEREAS, the term of the grant is for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, grant acceptance requires matching funds in the amount of $40,171.56; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney desires to accept said grant award; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Attorney's Office in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the City Attorney to accept SVAA and VOCA funding from the Ohio Attorney General in the amount of $163,586.24 to support victim advocacy services and to not delay access to grant funding for material purchases and staff expenses required to achieve the goals and objectives outlined in the award contracts, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, and safety; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Attorney is hereby authorized to accept State Victims Award Act (2024-SVAA-135500343) and federal Victims of Crime Act (2024-VOCA-135500340) funding from the Office of the Ohio Attorney General in the amount $163,586.24 to support direct victim advocacy services.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $40,171.56 in City match dollars is hereby authorized from Department 24, Division 2401, Fund 1000 to Fund 2220 (General Government Grants) according to the fiscal dimensions provided in the ordinance attachment.
SECTION 3. That grant awards and City match in the amount of $203,757.80 are appropriated to Fund 2220 General Government Grants according to fiscal dimensions provided in the ordinance attachment.
SECTION 4. That from the unappropriated monies in the General Government Grants Fund number 2220, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $203,757.80 is hereby appropriated to the Columbus City Attorney, Department 24 according to fiscal dimensions provided in the ordinance attachment.
SECTION 5. That funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That funds appropriated shall be paid upon order of the City Attorney 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 7. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor 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 grant agreements.
SECTION 8. 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 nor vetoes the same.