Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes payment to the National Association of Black Journalists for sponsorship of the Region II Conference. The event took place between April 17-18, 2026, and Council’s support of the event was provided before a fully-executed purchase order and agreement could be completed.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding in the amount of $15,000.00 is available and appropriated for the payment of this expenditure in Fund 1000, subfund 100018 within Columbus City Council as noted in the attached “Then and Now Certificate” as approved by the City Auditor .
Emergency action is requested in order to immediately issue payment for support of the event that occurred last April, and for which a fully-executed purchase order had not been completed.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to authorize payment to the National Association of Black Journalists per invoice approved by the Council President (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00 from Fund 1000; and to declare an emergency. ($15,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the National Association of Black Journalists held their Region II Conference on April 17-18, 2026, in Columbus and provided services to the City of Columbus via a sponsorship agreement; and
WHEREAS, after these goods or services were rendered, the City received an invoice for which a purchase order, with a prior certification of availability of funds by the City Auditor attached, had not been obtained; and,
WHEREAS, Section 5705.41 (D)(1) of the Ohio Revised Code provides that in certain circumstances a political subdivision may authorize payment on a contract executed without prior certification by the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council now has before it a certificate from the City Auditor certifying there was at the time of making the contract and at the time of the execution of such certificate a sufficient sum appropriated for the purpose of such contract and in the treasury or in process of collection to the credit of an appropriate fund free from any encumbrances (a “then and now certificate”); and,
WHEREAS, less than thirty days have passed since the City Council’s receipt of the certificate from the City Auditor; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to satisfy the obligations of the contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of Columbus City Council in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a sponsorship agreement in order to immediately issue payment for support of the event that occurred last April, and for which a fully-executed purchase order had not been completed; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That City Council hereby acknowledges receipt of the “then and now certificate” from the City Auditor and authorizes and directs the City Auditor to authorize payment to the National Association of Black Journalists per invoice approved by the Council President (or designee) in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
SECTION 2. 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 approved by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.