City of Columbus - File #: 2141-2025

• File #: 2141-2025
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Council Office for Signature
• File created: 7/22/2025
• In control: Workforce, Education, & Labor Committee
• On agenda: 9/8/2025
• Title: To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP to provide consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities; to authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 from the Employee Benefits Fund; to waive the competitive bidding requirements of the Columbus City Codes; to authorize the reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to the issuance of a purchase order from and including September 1, 2025; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/8/2025	1	Columbus City Council

Explanation

BACKGROUND
The Director of Human Resources seeks the authority to utilize the services of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP for consulting services connected to collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP has been solicited to provide assistance because of a partner’s experience representing the City of Columbus in previous negotiations with all bargaining units. This legislation authorizes the Department of Human Resources to enter into a contract for professional consulting services with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP.

This legislation authorizes the Director of Human Resources to enter into a contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP. It will further authorize the expenditure of $150,000.00 to compensate the contractor for services rendered in conjunction with collective bargaining negotiations and related activities. The competitive bid process would not be conducive to ongoing and anticipated negotiations, as a partner with the firm brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and experience in ongoing labor relations issues with the City of Columbus. Therefore, competitive bidding requirements are being waived.

CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
The contract compliance number for Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP is CC-006060 and expires on 4/3/2027.

FISCAL IMPACT
Funds totaling $150,000.00 are budgeted specifically for this contract in the Department of Human Resources 2025 Employee Benefits Fund budget.

EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested so the labor relations consulting can start as soon as possible for this year’s bargaining cycle. The 2025 bargaining cycle begins in mid-October 2025, and the department requires preparation sessions with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP beforehand.

Title

To authorize the Director of the Department of Human Resources to enter into a contract with Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur LLP to provide consulting services conn...