Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Avertest DBA Averhealth for random and instant drug testing.
There are two parts to the program: one is a random drug testing system. The court has specialty docket probationer’s names put into a system and then at random they are called monthly or weekly to come in for a drug test. The second part is if a defendant or a specialty docket probationer shows up for court and appears to be under the influence of drugs, they can be escorted to Avertest for an instant drug test.
RFQ017813 was done and closed on March 23, 2021. Two bids were received; Avertest and Recovery Trek. Avertest has the better pricing and won the bid.
Avertest DBA Averhealth federal tax id is 27-3929226.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the 2021 specialty docket fund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and to continue drug testing services with no interruption in services.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Avertest for random and instant drug testing; and to authorize the expenditure of up to $200,000.00 for drug testing services from the specialty docket fund; and to declare an emergency. ($200,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $200,000.00 is needed to provide for drug testing services; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Municipal Court is in need of drug testing services from Avertest; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exist in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to contract for drug testing of specialized docket participants and probationers with Avertest so there is no interruption in services, 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 Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Avertest for drug testing services through the period ending February 28, 2022.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $200,000.00 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges according to the account codes in the attachment.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the 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.