Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with the non-profit Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for the 2026-2027 Water Resources Program. The contract amount being authorized by this ordinance is $60,000.00.
The Program supports regional water resources protection by fostering collaboration among water and wastewater utilities, watershed and other environmental organizations, academia, private sector partners, and agricultural and rural communities. Funding will be provided to MORPC to support the Program’s Central Ohio Water Advisory council, associated working groups, and related activities. Additional tasks will include developing a strategic plan to guide the program’s work, establishing a roadmap with short and mid-term priorities for the Council, and sustaining partnerships focused on source water protection and monitoring.
The Water Resources Program will also support for water resources protection and infrastructure planning by leveraging findings from the Central Ohio Regional Water Study and other relevant existing studies. This work will include identifying and applying relevant climate data, tools, and resources. It will also include providing education and outreach opportunities and establish ongoing communication and engagement efforts with the public, partners, and local government members. MORPC will explore the development of a water efficiency campaign to encourage water conservation during drought conditions. The planning and implementation for two events, Riverfest and the Summit on Sustainability, will also be included in this program.
The term of the program is April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.
Principal Parties:
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
111 Liberty Street, Suite 100
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Contract Compliance Number: 004591
Contract Compliance Expiration Date: 08/01/2026
Fiscal Impact: $60,000.00 is budgeted and available from within the Public Utilities Operating Funds to meet the financial obligations of this contract. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2026 operating budget, Ordinance 2939-2025.
$60,000.00 was spent in 2025
$60,000.00 was spent in 2024
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the 2026-2027 Water Resources Program project; and to authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 split between the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds. ($60,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Utilities to enter into a grant agreement with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the 2026-2027 Water Resources Program; and
WHEREAS, the Water Resources Program supports regional water resources protection by promoting regional collaboration among water and wastewater utilities, watershed and other environmental groups, and agricultural and rural communities, and the Department of Public Utilities has previously provided funding support; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $60,000.00 from the Public Utilities Operating Fund, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operations of the Department of Public Utilities in that it is necessary to authorize the Director to enter into a grant agreement with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the 2026-2027 Water Resources Program; NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for the 2026-2027 Water Resources Program.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of $60,000.00 or so much thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost thereof, be and is hereby authorized from Public Utilities in object class 05, Other expenditures, split among the Electricity, Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Stormwater Operating Funds, per the accounting codes in the attachments to this ordinance.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.