Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Resources to transfer funds and appropriate amounts up to the amount of wellness credit invoice credits received within the Employee Benefits Fund to use the credit to promote wellness initiatives and programs for the City of Columbus employees.
For over two decades, United HealthCare has been the healthcare provider for the City of Columbus. During this time, the City of Columbus has received an annual wellness credit to promote wellness initiatives and programs for our employees. In 2024, the Department of Human Resources requested to receive the wellness credit via check instead of United Healthcare paying the invoices related to our wellness-related initiatives. United Healthcare approved this request and sent us the funding.
In 2025, United Healthcare agreed to issue the Department of Human Resources a monthly credit invoice for $6.00 per City of Columbus employee on the healthcare plan.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Department of Human Resources will receive monthly credit invoices from United Healthcare to reduce expenses for the wellness credit. The Auditor’s Office will transfer the cash from the savings resulting from the credit invoices and appropriate the monies in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund). This ordinance appropriates the funds and allows for needed purchases to be made while this program is in force.
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is respectfully requested so the department can continue wellness initiatives and programs without interruption.
Title
To authorize the transfer of funds between subfunds of the Employee Benefits Fund; to authorize appropriation up to the amount of wellness credits received and funds transferred in the Employee Benefits Fund to allow the Department of Human Resources to promote wellness initiatives and programs for the City of Columbus employees; and to declare an emergency. ($500,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, for over two decades, United HealthCare has been the healthcare provider for the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has received an annual wellness credit to promote wellness initiatives and programs for our employees; and
WHEREAS, United Healthcare agreed to issue the Department of Human Resources a monthly credit invoice for $6.00 per City of Columbus employee on the healthcare plan; and
WHEREAS, funds for this appropriation will need to be transferred between subfunds in Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund); and
WHEREAS, appropriation is needed to cover costs associated with Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund); and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Human Resources to provide funding for the UHC Wellness Credit Transfers so that services may continue without disruption, for the immediate preservation of 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 Auditor’s office is hereby authorized to transfer funds up to the amount of the wellness credits received within Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund) upon request by the Director of Human Resources.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized to appropriate the funds transferred for wellness credits received within Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund) upon request by the Director of Human Resources.
SECTION 3. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance 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 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.