Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with Fairfield Information Services DBA American Court Services (ACS) for random and instant drug testing.
There are two parts to the program: one is a random drug testing system. The court has specialty docket probationer’s names put into a system and then at random they are called monthly to come in for a drug test. The second part is if a defendant or a specialty docket probationer shows up for court and appears to be under the influence of drugs, they can be escorted to ACS for an instant drug test.
The probation department also has participants drug tested as needed.
Fairfield Information Services DBA American Court Services federal tax id is 31-1751856.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are available within the 2020 specialty docket and probation user fee fund for this purpose.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into contract and to continue drug testing services with no interruption in services.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with ACS for random and instant drug testing; to authorize the expenditure of up to $415,000.00 for drug testing services from the specialty docket and probation user fee fund; and to declare an emergency. ($415,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $415,000.00 is needed to provide for drug testing services; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Municipal Court is in need of drug testing services from ACS; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exist in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court it is immediately necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to contract for drug testing of specialized docket participants and probationers with ACS, thereby preserving 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 Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with ACS for drug testing services through the period ending March 31, 2021.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $415,000.00 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges according to the account codes in the attachment.
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 for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.