Explanation
Background: This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $338,000.00 between Departments within the General Fund for program operations related to the Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP).
Currently, the Franklin County Municipal Court out-sources programming related to its Batterer’s Intervention Programming and Intimate Partner Domestic Violence programs. These programs assess the risk and needs of each defendant and determine appropriate levels of treatment and proper levels of supervision and community control.
The current outsourced program has encountered certain barriers and constraints related to financial/economic burden, absenteeism, limited group/program offerings, communication with program participants, breadth and depth of aftercare and supportive services, and recidivism reduction. In-sourcing components of the program will allow the Franklin County Municipal Court more flexibility and financial resources to improve services and potential outcomes. Program enhancements would include free participation, and expanded program offerings to help remove barriers with respect to employment, childcare, and financial burden to help participants successfully complete the programming. These programmatic enhancements will help improve success rates and reduce recidivism.
The Office of Violence Prevention is partnering with the Franklin County Municipal Court and is providing the initial program funding via a transfer of funds from the Office of Violence Prevention to the Franklin County Municipal Court for 2024 program costs.
Fiscal Impact: This ordinance authorizes the transfer of $338,000.00 between Departments within the General Fund.
Emergency action is requested to avoid any delay in implementing the Batterer’s Intervention Program.
Title
To authorize the transfer $338,000.00 between Departments within the General Fund for program operations related to the Batterer’s Intervention Program; and to declare an emergency ($338,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, The Office of Violence Prevention is dedicated to reducing and preventing violence of all forms within the City of Columbus; and
WHEREAS, Domestic violence affects Columbus residents of all ages, races, and genders; and
WHEREAS, The Office of Violence Prevention is determined to support Mayor Ginther's vision to make Columbus the safest big city in America; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of a batterers intervention program is to hold batterers accountable and to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of a recurring battery; and
WHEREAS, Currently, the Franklin County Municipal Court outsources programming related to its Batterer’s Intervention Programming and Intimate Partner Domestic Violence programs; and
WHEREAS, The current outsourced program has encountered certain barriers and constraints related to financial/economic burden, absenteeism, limited group/program offerings, communication with program participants, breadth and depth of aftercare and supportive services, and recidivism reduction; and
WHEREAS, In-sourcing components of the program will allow the Franklin County Municipal Court more flexibility and financial resources to improve services and potential outcomes; and
WHEREAS, The Office of Violence Prevention is partnering with the Franklin County Municipal Court and is providing the initial program funding via a transfer of funds from the Office of Violence Prevention to the Franklin County Municipal Court for 2024 program costs; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Office of Violence Prevention in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the transfer of $338,000.00 between Departments within the General Fund for program operations related to the Batterer’s Intervention Program to avoid any delay in providing critical assistance in these areas of community need, 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 transfer of $338,000.00 is hereby authorized within the General Fund 1000 in Object Class 03 per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. 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 3. 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 4. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.