Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to appropriate and transfer funds from the Department of Recreation and Parks, Recreation and Parks Operating Fund to the Department of Human Resources, Employee Benefits Fund for the transfer of two employees, and authorizes the City Auditor to transfer funds from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion to the Department of Human Resources General Fund for the transfer of one employee and programming expenses.
A recent citywide operational review found the activities of the one Occupational Safety and Health Officer and one Occupational Safety and Health Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks align with and support the mission and vision of the Department of Human Resources, Division of Columbus Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Also, it was determined that the activities of one Executive Advisor I (Employee Resource Group Coordinator) in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion align with those of the Department of Human Resources. To better position personnel, programming, and future funding, this legislation will formally transfer the financials for one Occupational Safety and Health Officer and one Occupational Safety and Health Manager in the Department of Recreation and Parks, and for the Employee Resources Group Coordinator in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion, to the Department of Human Resources.
The anticipated execution date of the re-organization is May 10, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
The two employees in the Department of Recreation and Parks are currently funded by the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund. In transferring the Sections, authority for unencumbered budget balances in the Recreation and Parks Operating Fund, as per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance, as well as future receipts and expenditures in that fund, are being transferred to the Department of Human Resources, Division of Columbus Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Dept-Div 4603), funded by the Employee Benefits Fund. However, all current General Fund encumbrances, contracts, and obligations, including internal service charges, etc., currently established in the Department of Recreation and Parks for the two employees will remain in the Department of Recreation and Parks (Dept-Div 5101) until exhausted, canceled, and/or expired. Likewise, all current year Recreation and Parks Operating Fund expenses incurred prior to the reorganization shall remain in the Department of Recreation and Parks (Dept-Div 5101).
The one employee in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion is currently funded by the General Fund. In transferring the Sections, authority for unencumbered budget balances in the General Fund, as per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance, as well as future receipts and expenditures in that fund, are being transferred to the Department of Human Resources, Division of Human Resources Administration (Dept-Div 4601). However, all current General Fund encumbrances, contracts, and obligations, including internal service charges, established in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for the one employee will remain in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (Dept-Div 4003) until exhausted, canceled, and/or expired. Likewise, all current year General Fund expenses incurred prior to the reorganization shall remain with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion (Dept-Div 4003).
EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
This legislation is submitted as an emergency to ensure proper accounting for the necessary departments and divisions involved in the financial transfer and to make the transfer effective on May 10, 2026, with as little service interruption as possible.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to appropriate and transfer funds in the amount of $147,625.06 from the Department of Recreation and Parks, Recreation and Parks Operating Fund, to the Department of Human Resources, Employee Benefits Fund for two employees transferring from the Department of Recreation and Parks to the Department of Human Resources; to authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer funds in the amount of $84,849.45 from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion to the Department of Human Resources General Fund for one employee and programming expenses transferring from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion to the Department of Human Resources; and to declare an emergency. ($232,474.51)
Body
WHEREAS, a recent citywide operational review identified that the activities performed by one Occupational Safety and Health Officer and one Occupational Safety and Health Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks align with and support the mission and vision of the Department of Human Resources, Division of Columbus Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and
WHEREAS, it was determined that the activities of one Executive Advisor I (Employee Resource Group Coordinator) in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion align with those of the Department of Human Resources, Division of Human Resources Administration; and
WHEREAS, to better position personnel, programming, and future funding, this legislation will formally appropriate and transfer the financials for one Occupational Safety and Health Officer and one Occupational Safety and Health Manager in the Department of Recreation and Parks in the amount of $147,625.06 , and transfer the financials for one Employee Resources Group Coordination in the Office of Diversity & Inclusion in the amount of $84,849.45, to the Department of Human Resources upon passage of this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, unencumbered budget balances in Fund 2285 (Recreation and Parks Operating Fund), as well as future receipts and expenditures in that fund, are being appropriated and transferred to Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund) to the Dept-Div 4603 (Department of Human Resources, Division of Columbus Occupational Safety and Health Administration) when the re-organization is executed; and
WHEREAS, unencumbered budget balances in Fund 1000 (General Fund), as well as future receipts and expenditures in that fund, are being transferred to Dept-Div 4601 (Department of Human Resources, Division of Human Resources Administration) when the re-organization is executed; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Recreation and Parks, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Department of Human Resources in that it is immediately necessary to transfer financials for the three employees (two Recreation and Parks and one Diversity and Inclusion) as well as program expenses for the Diversity & Inclusion employee to the Department of Human Resources, to allow this transfer to be effective on May 10, 2026, to ensure as little interruption in services as possible, all for the preservation of the public peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is authorized to appropriate and transfer Fund 2285 (Recreation and Parks Operating Fund) appropriation in the amount of $147,625.06 to Fund 5502 (Employee Benefits Fund) and Fund 1000 (General Fund) appropriation in the amount of $84,849.45 as per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance. (See Attachment Ord 1047-2026 Financials).
SECTION 2. That the administration and management of all contracts awarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Program in the Department of Recreation and Parks shall remain assigned to Dept-Div 5101 (Recreation and Parks) for the duration of the agreement, to allow for continuity of programming and reporting. All other stipulations related to that funding remain in place. All new contracts or agreements awarded after the re-organization is executed shall be executed under the authority of the Dept-Div 4603 (Columbus Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Department of Recreation and Parks is authorized to pay and/or continue to pay any outstanding encumbrances and contract obligations held as it relates to the Occupational Safety and Health program using the funding in place on those obligations, including prior year(s) encumbrances, until those balances are liquidated or no longer needed.
SECTION 4. That all Fund 2285 (Recreation and Parks Operating Fund) expenses that have already occurred prior to when the re-organization is executed, shall remain with Dept-Div 5101 (Recreation and Parks).
SECTION 5. That the administration and management of all contracts by the Employee Resource Group Coordinator in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion shall remain assigned to Dept-Div 4003 (Office of Diversity & Inclusion) for the duration of the agreement, to allow for continuity of programming and reporting. All other stipulations related to that funding remain in place. All new contracts or agreements awarded after the re-organization is executed shall be executed under the authority of the Dept-Div 4601 (Human Resources Administration).
SECTION 6. That the Director of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion is authorized to pay and/or continue to pay any outstanding encumbrances and contract obligations held as it relates to the Employee Resources Group Coordinator using the funding in place on those obligations, including prior year(s) encumbrances, until those balances are liquidated or no longer needed.
SECTION 7. That all Fund 1000 (General Fund) expenses that have already occurred prior to when the re-organization is executed, shall remain with Dept-Div 4003 (Office of Diversity & Inclusion).
SECTION 8. That the funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 9. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all transfers associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 10. That enforcement of this ordinance shall commence from and after May 10, 2026.
SECTION 11. That for the 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 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.