Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to modify the first year of a four-year renewal contract for foreign services in the Municipal Court building at 375 S. High St. with Svetlana Ball, DBA Ohio Translation Services, LLC.
Formal bid RFQ031090 was done and closed on September 30, 2025. Thirteen bids were received, and nine bidders met the required specifications and were given awards. The court will also contract with Access 2 Interpreters, LLC, Asian American Community Services, and six independent contractors. This decision was based on the availability of language and the interpreters' certifications.
The contracts are aligned to match our budget year. Year one is November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027 (17 months). The three subsequent years will be from April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028; April 1, 2028, to March 31, 2029; and April 1, 2029, to March 31, 2030.
1.1 Amount of additional funds to be expended: $515,000.00
Cost summary:
Original Contract, Ordinance #3358-2025 $165,000
Modification #1, Ordinance #0642-2026 $350,000
1.2. Reasons additional goods/services could not be foreseen:
This is a four contract with the first year being 17 months (November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027, 17 months). We did the original contract (5 months) to cover until the new budget was available.
1.3. Reason other procurement processes are not used:
This is a multi-year contract that will be modified as required. Another procurement process is not required.
1.4. How cost of modification was determined:
The cost of this modification was determined by taking the monthly average and multiplying it out.
EMERGENCY LEGISLATION is requested to ensure no service interruption.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds for this contract are budgeted and available within the Municipal Court 2026 general fund appropriations. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2026 operating budget, Ordinance 2938-2025.
Title
To authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to modify the first year of a four-year contract with Svetlana Ball, DBA Ohio Translation Services, LLC for foreign language interpreter services for the Franklin County Municipal Court; to authorize the additional expenditure of an amount not to exceed $350,000.00 from the general fund; and to declare an emergency. ($350,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the Franklin County Municipal Court provide foreign language interpreter services for non-English speaking persons that may come before the Court; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to modify the contract with Svetlana Ball DBA Ohio Translation Services to provide translation services so that the Court may continue to provide language interpreter services without interruption; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court in to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge to modify said contract and authorize the expenditures with Ohio Translation Services for the provision of foreign language interpreter service so that the Court may continue to provide language interpreter services without interruption for those persons interacting with the Court that require such services, 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 Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to modify the first year of a four-year renewable contract with Svetlana Ball, DBA Ohio Translation Services, to provide foreign language interpreter services to the Franklin County Municipal Court for the contract term which will be from the date of execution of the contract after approval by Council until March 31, 2027.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $350,000.00, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court.
SECTION 3. 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 4. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.