Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has been awarded the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for the Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS) Division. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $168,000.00 in grant money for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027.
The Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant will continue the previous Integrated Harm Reduction (IH26) grant to eliminate social and geographic barriers that might prevent individuals from acquiring Naloxone, and providing overdose prevention education. This grant will also allow continue employing staff in the community at partner locations, to engage, link and refer clients to needed services, including medical, social services, and substance use disorder treatment. Additionally, this grant will maintain the mail order naloxone distribution program for Columbus and Franklin County residents currently operated by CPH’s ADS Program.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency as to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible to avoid forfeiture of awarded grant funds; to set up the grant in time to maintain uninterrupted employment for approximately 1.9 FTE; to fund expenses associated with completing the schedule of monthly and quarterly deliverables beginning September 30, 2026; and to fully expense the budget reported to the funder within the grant’s awarding time period beginning September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant is fully funded by the Ohio Department of Health and does not require a City match.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to accept a grant from the Ohio Department of Health in the amount of $168,000.00; to authorize the appropriation of $168,000.00 to the Health Department in the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and to declare an emergency. ($168,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $168,000.00 in grant funds have been made available through the Ohio Department of Health for the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the continued support of the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program; and
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Board of Health to accept the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant from the Ohio Department of Health in order to avoid forfeiture of awarded grant funds; to set up the grant in time to maintain uninterrupted employment for approximately 1.9 FTE; to fund expenses associated with completing the schedule of monthly and quarterly deliverables beginning September 30, 2026; and to fully expense the budget reported to the funder within the grant’s awarding time period beginning September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027, such immediate action being necessary 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept funding of $168,000.00 from the Ohio Department of Health for the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027.
SECTION 2. The auditor’s office is authorized to adjust appropriations to match current awarded amounts per the attached template and authorized to adjust appropriations as required for future award amount changes from the grantor in the Health Department's Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $168,000.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001 upon receipt of an executed grant agreement, according to the attached accounting document.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner 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 4. 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 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the Ohio Department of Health for the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027.
SECTION 7. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2026 and December 31, 2027 any additional awarded funds are appropriated in Fund 2251 according to notification of award or grant agreement by the grantor.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Integrated Harm Reduction (IH27) grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
SECTION 9. 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.