Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Board of Health to establish an imprest petty cash operating fund for the three markets for the reimbursement to farmers who accept the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) services for market customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Produce Perks Farmers Market Nutrition Incentive program tokens as payment during the markets, in the amount of $5,000.00. Columbus Public Health (CPH) is hosting three farmers’ markets in 2024. The markets in 2024 will be held on July 25, August 1, and August 8, 2024.
At each market, the CPH Farmers Market Staff will swipe customer Ohio Directions EBT cards and provide one token for each $1.00 in SNAP benefits they redeem plus a matching Produce Perks token for each $1.00 in SNAP benefits redeemed up to a maximum of $25.00 per EBT transaction. Customers will shop at the markets, using the tokens provided. At the end of each market, the CPH Farmers Market Staff will reimburse the farmers $1.00 for each SNAP token received and $1.00 for each Produce Perks token they have accepted as payment during the market. To facilitate this, a cash box will be required at each of the three farmers markets. After the market, reimbursement will be submitted immediately. Columbus Public Health will be reimbursed after the conclusion of the three markets for SNAP benefits redeemed and Produce Perks.
Emergency action is requested in order to have the cash available to reimburse farmers after the first market held on July 25th, 2024.
Fiscal Impact: To provide the sum of $5,000.00 to create an imprest petty cash fund for the three farmers' markets held at three community locations. Due to construction, farmers markets are not being held at Columbus Public health. At the conclusion of the markets, remaining cash is deposited back into the City fund and all disbursed cash is reimbursed and deposited. There is zero net cost to the City to provide the petty cash f...
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