Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $3,373,795.00 in grant monies to fund the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program, for the period March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026. The total amount funded for this period is $3,373,795.00
The Ryan White Part A (RWPA) HIV Care grant’s purpose is to improve access to medical care for persons living with HIV or AIDS living in Central Ohio. The goal is that each client will achieve viral suppression, which improves their quality of life and reduces the risk of spreading the infection. This grant will enhance medical services for both somatic and behavioral health, pay for HIV related doctor’s visits, mental health services, substance abuse services, and other services allowable by the grant, and strengthen the case management and linkage to care programs at CPH.
In 2023, the RWPA program for the Central Ohio area served 2,492 people living with HIV through programs including outpatient/ambulatory medical care, mental health services, medical case management, early intervention services, housing services, non-medical case management, emergency financial assistance and medical transportation.
HRSA has tasked CPH to improve the efficiency of the reallocation of funds as necessary in order to minimize unused funds to the greatest extent possible and to maximize the available services and avoid potential penalties as future carryover funds may not be permitted by HRSA. For this reason, it is necessary to authorize the Board of Health to accept any additional awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the RWPA HIV Care grant program; to authorize the appropriation of any additional awards for the RWPA HIV Care grant program; and to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the RWPA HIV Care grant program.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant Program is entirely funded by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and does not generate revenue or require a City match. ($3,373,795.00)
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $3,373,795.00 and any additional funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program; to authorize the appropriation of $3,373,795.00 and any additional funds awarded from the unapppropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program. ($3,373,795.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $3,373,795.00 in grant funds have been made available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program for the period of March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these and any additional funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program; and,
WHEREAS, HRSA has tasked CPH to improve the efficiency of the reallocation of funds as necessary in order to minimize unused funds to the greatest extent possible in order to maximize the available services and to avoid potential penalties related to future grants; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and authorized to allow the City Auditor to transfer and adjust appropriations between object classes for any changes in the estimated award amounts for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; 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 a grant award of $3,373,795.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program for the period March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
SECTION 2. 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 year ended December 31, 2026, the sum of $3,373,795.00 based on award estimate letter is appropriated in Fund 2251 The Health Department Grants Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
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. 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 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program for the period March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026.
SECTION 7. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
SECTION 8. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.