Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to establish a certificate in the amount of $7,000,000.00 to fund a Columbus Regional Green Fund in support of clean energy projects and a range of clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives that benefit the greater Columbus community. The funding will support clean energy project financing for non-profit entities and affordable housing developments within the City of Columbus in alignment with the Columbus Climate Action Plan and the city’s commitments to equity and environmental justice.
Sustainable Columbus, in coordination with the Columbus Partnership has been working to establish the Columbus Regional Green Fund and are working with other localities to make funding commitments to the entity to further its community impact.
This ordinance also authorizes the expenditure of $7,000,000.00 for the purposes described above.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $7,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Sustainable Columbus fund and the expenditure of such funds to undertake the projects outlined above.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to establish an Auditor’s Certificate in the amount of $7,000,000.00 to fund a Columbus Regional Green Fund in support of clean energy projects and a range of clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives that benefit the greater Columbus community, on behalf of the Department of Finance; to authorize the transfer of $7,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Sustainable Columbus Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $7,000,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus Fund for the purpose(s) described above. ($7,000,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Office of Sustainability, in partnership with the Department of Finance and Management is developing a Columbus Regional Green Fund in support of clean energy projects and a range of clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives that benefit the greater Columbus community; and
WHEREAS, Sustainable Columbus and the Department of Finance and Management, in coordination with the Columbus Partnership, has been working to establish the Columbus Regional Green Fund and are working with other localities to make funding commitments to the entity to further its community impact; and
WHEREAS, funds totaling $7,000,000.00 are budgeted in the General Fund for the purposes noted above; and
WHEREAS, to ensure the availability of moneys budgeted in the 2022 General Fund for the above-noted purposes in 2023, it is necessary to authorize the City Auditor to establish an Auditor’s Certificate in the amount of $7,000,000.00; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $7,000,000.00 from the Sustainable Columbus Fund for the purpose(s) described in this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Finance and Management will submit ordinances seeking Council authorization to enter into contracts with selected vendor(s), if applicable; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Finance and Management Department to authorize the City Auditor to establish a certificate in the amount of $7,000,000.00 to ensure the availability of funds in the upcoming months to invest in sustainability, energy management and alternative energy initiatives to benefit the greater Columbus community, 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to establish a certificate in the amount of $7,000,000.00 to ensure the availability of funds to fund a Columbus Regional Green Fund in support of clean energy projects and a range of clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives that benefit the greater Columbus community. The funding will support clean energy project financing for non-profit entities and affordable housing developments within the City of Columbus in alignment with the Columbus Climate Action Plan and the city’s commitments to equity and environmental justice. The Department of Finance and Management will submit future ordinances seeking Council authorization to enter into contracts with selected vendor(s) and/or grantees, if applicable.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $7,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund to the Sustainable Columbus Fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 3223-2022 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $7,000,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the Sustainable Columbus Fund 1000 in object class 03 Contractual Services, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 3223-2022 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 4. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Finance and Management, 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 5. 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 6. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 7. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.