Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Administrative and Presiding Judge to modify legislation 0877-2026, passed on 3/30/26, for the Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company (OBLIC), and authorizes the additional expenditure of up to $2,053.00 from the Municipal Court General Fund. This policy will cover municipal court magistrates and staff attorneys for liability claims due to errors and omissions. This will also allow for any necessary additions or deletions of staff during the contract period. The purchase of said insurance is authorized by the following section of the Ohio Revised Code:
Section 1901.38 | Liability coverage for municipal court judges and employees.
Effective: May 6, 1992
The legislative authority may procure insurance covering the judges of the municipal court and the employees of the municipal court, including but not limited to any deputy clerks, the bailiff of the municipal court and any deputy bailiffs, the assignment commissioner, and probation department personnel, in one or more policies, against liability arising from the duties of their office or employment, including liability on account of errors or omissions unknowingly made by them and for which they may be held liable.
The policy or policies of insurance shall be in an amount of not less than fifty thousand dollars. The premiums shall be paid from monies appropriated by the legislative authority from funds available for that purpose.
We are short of funds because part-time magistrates (who have magistrate insurance) are not covered for their work as staff attorneys. We had to add three people to the staff attorney policy, which put us over the limit. We were not aware the magistrate's insurance did not cover all their work. OBLIC is the only company we found that offers insurance for attorneys and magistrates. Insurance rates are based on years of coverage.
Ohio Bar Liability Insurance Company Federal Tax ID is 31-0947214.
Emergency Designation is requested so that the premiums can be paid and the policy does not lapse. The policy expires on 11/7/26, and we just received the staff attorney premiums on 10/8/26.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the 2026 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to modify a contract with OBLIC; to authorize the expenditure of up to $2,053.00 to provide professional liability insurance for magistrates and staff attorneys, and to declare an emergency. ($2,053.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Court has determined that it is in its best interest to modify the contract with OBLIC to insure our magistrates and staff attorneys; and
WHEREAS, this will also allow for any additions and deletions of staff that may be necessary during the contract period; and
WHEREAS, $2,053 is needed to provide for services; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city, in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract and authorize the expenditure for insurance of magistrates and staff attorneys from OBLIC to ensure premiums are paid and to prevent a lapse in policy, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to modify the contract with OBLIC for the insurance of magistrates and staff attorneys.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $2,053 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges funds.
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.