Explanation
Background
In July 2020, consistent with the recommendations of the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission, Mayor Ginther and City Council announced their intent to place an issue on the November ballot to amend the City Charter to establish a civilian police review board and a Department of the Inspector General for the Columbus Division of Police. On November 3, 2020, Columbus voters overwhelmingly approved the amendment by nearly 75 percent.
This ordinance transfers appropriation authority within the general fund to the Department of the Inspector General for the purpose of providing funds for operations.
Emergency Designation is requested to allow for the immediate ability of the Department to be staffed and to begin exercising its duties and responsibilities.
Fiscal Impact: A total of $1,000,000 was budgeted in Finance and Management’s city-wide account for the Department of the Inspector General. A transfer of funds is now necessary within the general fund.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $1,000,000.00 within the general fund from the Department of Finance and Management to the Department of the Inspector General; and to declare an emergency ($1,000,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, in January 2020, the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission presented final recommendations for police reform focused on areas such as de-escalation, crisis intervention, and implicit bias training; use of force policies; diversity recruitment and retention; and early intervention and officer wellness programs; and
WHEREAS, among their recommendations, the Commission called for the establishment of an independent civilian review board, and an amendment to the City Charter to create a city-funded, operationally independent, professionally-staffed, public-facing entity empowered to participate fully in criminal or administrative investigations involving Division of Police personnel; and
WHEREAS in July 2020, consistent with the recommendation of the Columbus Community Safety Advisory Commission, Mayor Ginther and City Council announced their intent to place an issue on the November ballot to amend the City Charter to establish a civilian police review board and a Department of the Inspector General for the Columbus Division of Police. On November 3, 2020, Columbus voters overwhelmingly approved the amendment by nearly 75 percent; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of the Inspector General in that it is immediately necessary to transfer appropriation authority within the general fund to allow for the immediate ability of the Department to be staffed and to begin exercising its duties and responsibilities, for the immediate preservation of 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 and directed to transfer $1,000,000 in appropriation authority within the general from the Department of Finance and Management to the Department of the Inspector General according to the account codes in the attachment.
SECTION 2. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Inspector General for which the appropriations are made, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the account coding associated with this legislation.
SECTION 4. That for the 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 the earliest period allowed by law passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor does not approve the same.