Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Office of Education to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for the transition of the Early Start Columbus Program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County and to transfer the amount of $6,215,825.00 from the 2026 Office of Education General Fund.
This transition will allow for a more regional strategic approach to early learning in Franklin County and all of Central Ohio with the goal of serving more children. Franklin County has demonstrated success in serving children, county-wide, in quality early education through their Franklin County RISE program. The transition of the Early Start Columbus program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County will provide the County with another proven early education tool as they strive to fulfill their mission in early childhood education. The Office of Education has neither the experience nor the expertise to engage in a regional early education expansion.
Ordinance 1786-2026 authorizes the Office of Education to enter into contracts with Early Start Columbus providers for the 2026-2027 school year, and assign those individual contracts to Franklin County in accordance with the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow the transition of the program and transfer of funding to be completed for the successful implementation of the program by Franklin County for the 2026-2027 school year.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the 2026 Office of Education General Fund, and authorizes a new expenditure of $6,215,825.00 from the 2026 Mayor’s Office of Education’s General Operating fund, in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement. This ordinance also authorizes a transfer amount of up to $6,215,825.00 in accordance with the assignment provisions in Ordinance 1786-2026, and the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Office of Education enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for the transition of the Early Start Columbus Program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County, to authorize a transfer of cash between objects within the Office of Education General Fund; to authorize an expenditure of $6,215,825.00, to be paid to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for the purpose of this ordinance, from the Office of Education General Fund, and to declare an emergency. ($6,215,825.00)
Body
WHEREAS, both the City of Columbus and Franklin County seek to create a more regional strategic approach to expanding early education in Central Ohio; and
WHEREAS, through their Franklin County RISE program, the County has demonstrated success in providing high-quality early learning programming; and
WHEREAS, transitioning the Early Start Columbus program from the City of Columbus to Franklin County will provide the County with another proven early education tool as they strive to fulfill their mission in early childhood education; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the Director of the Office of Education to enter into an intergovernmental transfer agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize the expenditure of $6,215,825.00 from the General Fund;
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize a transfer of up to $6,215,825.00 in accordance with the terms of Ordinance 1726-2026 and the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement; and
WHEREAS, this agreement is in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 167.06 relating to intergovernmental transfers; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the Office of Education in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners to allow for the transition of the Early Start Columbus program and the transfer of funding as soon as possible in order for the successful implementation of the program by Franklin County for the 2026-2027 school year, 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 Director of the Office of Education is hereby authorized to enter into an intergovernmental agreement, pursuant to Columbus City Code Section 329.30, with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners to allow for the transition of the Early Start Columbus program and the transfer of funds.
SECTION 2. That available appropriations in the amount of $6,215,825.00 is authorized to be transferred from Object Class 03 - Purchased Services to Object Class 05 - Other, for the Office of Education.
SECTION 3. That $6,215,825.00, or so much thereof as may be necessary, be and is hereby authorized to be paid the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for the purpose of this ordinance from the 2026 Office of Education General Fund.
SECTION 3. 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 4. 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 5. That this ordinance, for the reasons stated in the preamble, which are made a part of this ordinance and fully incorporated for reference as if rewritten, is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after this ordinance’s passage and approval by the Mayor or ten (10) days after its adoption if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.