Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health (CPH) has been awarded a grant from The Ohio Department of Health. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $416,866.00 in grant monies to fund the STI Prevention grant program, for the period March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. The total amount funded for this period is $416,866.00.
The STI Prevention grant program enables Columbus Public Health to identify and prevent sexually transmitted diseases through implementing partner services and then screening for HIV and syphilis. In 2025, CPH DIS interviewed all 846 individuals diagnosed with syphilis. As a result of timely intervention, 71% received this interview within 21 days, 88% received treatment in 21 days, and 100% of named partners received treatment in 30 days. All activities are conducted with special emphasis on populations at high risk such as community sites serving LGBTQ communities, persons experience human trafficking, and other vulnerable populations.
The Ohio Department of Health 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 funds may not be permitted by Ohio Department of Health. For this reason, it is necessary to authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept any additional awards for the STI Prevention grant program; to authorize the appropriation of any additional awards for the STI Prevention grant program; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between both object classes and grant numbers for STI Prevention grant program.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency in order to ensure that quality STI Prevention care continues to be and to ensure timely payment to providers.
FISCAL IMPACT: The STI Prevention grant program is entirely funded by the Ohio Department of Health and does not generate revenue or require a city match. ($416,866.00)
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health in the amount of $416,866.00 and any additional funds for the STI Prevention grant program; to authorize the appropriation of $416,866.00 and any additional funds awarded from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes and grant numbers for the STI Prevention grant program; and to declare an emergency. ($416,866.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $416,866.00 in grant funds have been made available through the Ohio Department of Health for the STI Prevention grant program for the period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these and any additional funds from the Ohio Department of Health for the support of the STI Prevention grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary and authorized to allow the City Auditor to transfer and adjust appropriations between object classes and grant numbers for any changes in the estimated award amounts for the STI Prevention grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health Department.
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contracts in order to continue services without interruption 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant award of $416,866.00 from the Ohio Department of Health for the STI Prevention grant program for the period March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
SECTION 2. That from the unappropriated monies in the Health Department's Grants Fund, Fund No. 2251, and from all monies estimated to come into said Fund from any and all sources during the grant period, the sum of $416,866.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated to the Health Department, Division No. 5001, upon receipt of an executed grant agreement.
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. That, 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the Ohio. Department of Health for the STI Prevention grant program for the period of March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes and grant number for the STI Prevention grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health Department.
SECTION 7. 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 8. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Sections 5, 6, and, 7 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 9. That for 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.