Explanation
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to increase funding for Delaware County for sewer service provision during fiscal year 2023 according to an agreement entered into by the City of Columbus and Delaware County in 1991, authorized by Ordinance 2424-91. This agreement authorizes discharge of sewage from Delaware County into the sewer system of the City of Columbus and from the City of Columbus sewer system into the Delaware County sewer system in order to avoid duplication of wastewater treatment. A copy of the original agreement and a 2018 amendment and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are attached to this legislation. This agreement was amended by Ordinances 1418-2012 and 0961-2020, which altered the density allowances for certain areas to enhance development and modified certain flow monitoring and billing parameters, respectively.
A previous ordinance - ORD 0071-2023 - authorized the payment of budgeted funds for fiscal year 2023. However, due to increasing trends in the number of billed gallons, as well as a rate increase of $0.00616 to $0.00635 per gallon, additional funds are needed to pay for the services.
SUPPLIER:
Delaware County | Federal EIN 31-6400065 | D365 Vendor #006181 | Governmental Organization
FISCAL IMPACT:
$1,088,424.91 remains of the 2023-budgeted amount of $3,500,000.00 to pay the invoices for sewer service provision for quarters three and four. Based on invoice trends, it is estimated the Division of Sewerage and Drainage needs an additional $250,000.00 to pay for these invoices. A transfer of cash and appropriation within the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund is needed to align cash and appropriation with the proper object class.
$2,905,189.09 has been spent in 2023.
$2,968,386.00 was spent in 2022
$2,956,122.45 was spent in 2021
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION: The Department of Public Utilities respectfully requests this legislation be considered to avoid additional fees.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to establish an additional purchase order to make payments to Delaware County for sewer services provided during fiscal year 2023; to authorize the transfer of cash and appropriation within the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund; and to authorize the expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 2424-91 authorized an agreement between the City of Columbus and Delaware County based on a determination that it is in the best economic interests of both parties to avoid duplication of sanitary wastewater treatment; and
WHEREAS, Ordinances 1418-2012 and 0961-2020 amended this agreement by altering the density allowances for certain areas to enhance development and modifying certain flow monitoring and billing parameters, respectively; and
WHEREAS, this agreement provides for payment by each party for services provided by the other party within certain service area boundaries; and
WHEREAS, funds are budgeted yearly by the Division of Sewerage and Drainage for these payments and Ordinance 0071-2023 authorized the payment of budgeted funds for the 2023 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, increasing trends in the amount of billed gallons and a rate increase of $0.00616 to $0.00635 per gallon necessitate additional funding to pay for these services in quarters three and four of fiscal year 2023; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to transfer cash and appropriation within the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, Fund 6100, to align cash and appropriation with the proper object class; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an expenditure of funds from the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, Fund 6100, to pay for the services;
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director of Public Utilities to increase funding for Delaware County for sewer services provided, without delay, in order to avoid possible funding gap for services and to avoid additional fees, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and NOW, THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities is hereby authorized to make payment to Delaware County, 50 Channing Street, Delaware, Ohio 43015, for the provision of sewer services for the remainder of fiscal year 2023 according to an agreement entered into by the City of Columbus and Delaware County in 1991 authorized by Ordinance 2424-91 and amended by Ordinances 1418-2012 and 0961-2020.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized within the Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, Fund 6100, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $250,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 6100, Sewer Operating Sanitary Fund, in object class 03, Services, per the accounting codes attached to the ordinance.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That for the 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.