Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with The Ohio State University to support Director, Assistant Director and Community Engagement Coordinator of the Age-Friendly Innovation Center at approximately 14% effort for 12 months on 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging (CORAA) survey administration and dissemination and planning, facilitation, and analysis of focus groups. Additionally, this support will provide incentives for older Columbus residents for participation in focus groups, to build a community data dashboard, hosting webinar and graphics package for dashboard release, and for general supplies and printing for the administration of the 2026 CORAA. As our older adult population grows, there is a need for high quality data to allow residents to age with dignity and choice.
This research will result in:
1. Successful completion and publication of the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging;
2. Publication of 2026 CORAA dashboard and presentation at least 100 professionals in Columbus; and
3. At least 100 older adults engaged in focus groups to further inform the survey data.
This support will allow AFC to administer and analyze the 2026 CORAA, a random sample survey of adults aged 50 years and older living in Columbus and across the Central Ohio Region. Conducted in partnership with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) and the Franklin County Office on Aging (FCOA), this project aims to reduce community burden, promote cross-agency collaboration, and maximize the efficient use of shared resources. While there are many community surveys that happen across the Central Ohio region, the CORAA is the only random sample survey specific to the evolving needs and concerns of older adults. As the lead partner, the Age-Friendly Innovation Center will work with a research firm in the first quarter of 2026 to administer the survey to a random sample of adults aged 50 years and older living in Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union Counties. A separate generalizable sample will also be completed for the city of Columbus, a key priority area for partner agencies due to its growing aging population, evolving service needs, and the recognition that many older adults do not exist within the confines of the community in which they reside. Conducting a regional survey aligns with the philosophy of City leadership to support those that live, work, or play within the City of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 100018. Funding provided through the grant agreement authorized under this ordinance will be provided on a reimbursement basis to the grantee.
REASON FOR EMERGENCY: Timely reimbursement funding will facilitate the publication of survey results for the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter a grant agreement with The Ohio State University in support of the Age-Friendly Innovation Center's program, Age-Friendly Columbus, to conduct the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging; to reimburse The Ohio State University for expenses associated with the 2026 Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging on and after March 1, 2026; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($70,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, as our older adult population grows, there is a need for high quality data to allow residents to age with dignity and choice; and
WHEREAS, The Ohio State University Age-Friendly Innovation Center's Central Ohio Regional Assessment on Aging collects qualitative data through community focus groups with older adults; and
WHEREAS, this research provides critical information in the planning for city leadership, local organizations, and the aging network in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, this work aims to reduce community burden, promote cross-agency collaboration, and maximize the efficient use of shared resources; and
WHEREAS, work associated with the Age-Friendly Innovation Center's Central Ohio Regional Assessment began in March of 2026 and therefore the Center requires reimbursement of expenses incurred on and after March 1, 2026; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in that it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk's office to ensure that The Ohio State University Age-Friendly Innovation Center is able to robustly disseminate the findings of their research, all 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 City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to enter a grant agreement with The Ohio State University in the amount of $70,000.00 to reimburse costs associated with the Age-Friendly Innovation Center's program, Age-Friendly Columbus, incurred on and after March 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $70,000.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to the City Clerk per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $70,000.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized per the accounting codes attached to this ordinance.
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 necessary to revise the funding source for all grant agreements or modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereunto, 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.