Explanation
This ordinance will authorize the City Auditor to enter into an agreement for professional auditing services with Plante & Moran for the calendar year 2015, of the City of Columbus and the Office of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk, and to authorize the expenditure of up to $381,742.00.
The audit agreement covers 5 years (2012-2016) with each year being subject to the authorizing appropriation of Council. This 2015 ordinance represents the fourth year of this five-year cycle.
It should be noted that 15% of this contract will be subcontracted to a minority firm of certified public accountants. This has been a subcontracting requirement in the City's audit contract since 1985.
Plante & Moran Contract Compliance Number is 38-1357951 (expires06/11/2017).
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are currently budgeted in the City Auditor's department for this expenditure.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to enter into an agreement along with the Auditor of the State of Ohio, and Plante & Moran, for professional auditing services for calendar year 2015 and to authorize the expenditure of up to $381,742.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($381,742.00)
Body
WHEREAS, all political subdivisions of Ohio are required to be audited by the Auditor of the State of Ohio or his designee; and
WHEREAS, the United States Office of Management and Budget through the Single Audit Act of 1996, as amended, has made it possible for all federal grants to be audited via one comprehensive audit; and
WHEREAS, the Auditor of the State of Ohio and the Columbus City Auditor have concurred that the most appropriate way to meet all such requirements is to engage an independent public accountant to conduct an independent audit of the City's 2015 accounting records and those of the Office of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk including federal and state grants; and
WHEREAS, it is important that the City not be delayed in issuing its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2015; and
WHEREAS, maximum efficiencies can be achieved by including the Office of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operations of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Auditor to enter into contracts in order to provide uninterrupted Audit service, 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 City Auditor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement along with the Auditor of the State of Ohio, with Plante & Moran, to conduct an audit of the City's 2015 accounting records and financial statements and to render an opinion thereon.
SECTION 2. That this agreement include the audit of the Office of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk.
SECTION 3. That the sum of ($381,742) or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized to be expended from the General Fund 010, Department 22-01, Object Level-1 03, Object Level-3 3325, OCA 220145 for the aforesaid purpose.
SECTION 4. The City Auditor is hereby authorized to prorate the costs of this audit to the various funds of the City.
SECTION 5. 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 or vetoes the same.