Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC). CELC is the existing Pre-Kindergarten education program provider at the Hilltop Early Learning Center, as authorized by Ord 1754-2025. Pursuant to Ord 1754-2025, the Office of Education was authorized to enter into an Operations Agreement with CELC. This Operations Agreement had an initial term for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. An encumbrance is therefore needed to pay contract services related to pre-kindergarten programming for the first renewal period of September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027.
$2,120,000 in additional funds will be expended under this modification. The need for additional funding and services were foreseen at the time the contract was initially awarded, and were appropriated in the 2026 Operating Budget. It would not be in the city's best interests to have the additional contract requirements awarded through other procurement processes specified in this chapter as Columbus Early Learning Centers has operated the Master Operator of the Hilltop Early Learning Center since 2022. The funding for the additional services are consistent with prior year funding.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $2,120,000.00 with Columbus Early Learning Centers for the period September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Funding for this contract is budgeted and available within the 2026 Mayor’s Office of Education general operating budget.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers; and to authorize the expenditure of $2,120,000.00 from the General Fund. ($2,120,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, participation in quality early childhood education can provide an important mechanism for developing children’s school readiness; and
WHEREAS, not all children have access to quality early childhood education and/or intentional parenting practices; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ord 1754-2025, the Office of Education was authorized to enter into an Operations Agreement with CELC; and
WHEREAS, this Operations Agreement had an initial term for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 and also provided for two automatic annual renewals; and
WHEREAS, an encumbrance is needed to pay contract services related to pre-kindergarten programming for the first automatic renewal period of September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Office of Education to authorize the Director to enter into a contract with Columbus Early Learning Centers to preserve the public health, peace, 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 an encumbrance for contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers for the period September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027 and for the payment of prior expenditures for services related thereto.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $2,120,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed in regard to the action authorized in Section 1, is hereby authorized from the General Fund 1000 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Office of Education, 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 4. 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 5. 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 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.