Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate a total of $274,653.00 in grant money to fund the Sexually Transmitted Infection Surveillance Network (SSuN) Grant Program, for the period of September 30, 2026, through September 29, 2027.
Columbus Public Health (CPH) is participating in the STI Surveillance Network (SSuN) program to better understand behavioral, demographic, and clinical information on gonorrhea cases. This information will allow CPH and the CDC to better understand the epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs) and to inform national and local STD prevention efforts.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency measure resulting from a delayed Notice of Award (NOA), which was received on August 28, 2026. Emergency passage is necessary to record the financial transaction within the city's accounting system, thereby ensuring uninterrupted project operations and compliance with all grantor-required deliverables.
FISCAL IMPACT: The SSuN Grant Program is entirely funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept a 2026-2027 Sexually Transmitted Infection Surveillance Network (SSuN) Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); to authorize the appropriation of $274,653.00 and any additional funds awarded from the unapppropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriation between object classes as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and to declare an emergency. ($274,653.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $274,653.00 in grant funds have been made available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the SSuN Grant Program, for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the support of the SSuN Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the support of the SSuN Grant Program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriation between object classes for the SSuN grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Health Department in that it is immediately necessary to accept these grant funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department to ensure the immediate delivery of services, 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 Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant award of $274,653.00 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the SSuN Grant Program, for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027.
SECTION 2. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept additional grant awards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the SSuN Grant Program, for the period of September 30, 2026 through September 29, 2027.
SECTION 3. 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 set to end December 31, 2026, the sum of $274,653.00 award notice of award is appropriated in Fund 2251 The Health Department Grants Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriation between object classes for the SSuN grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health Department to carry out the purpose of the grant.
SECTION 6. 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 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 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.