Explanation:
The Franklin County Public Defender Commission performs all the duties and responsibilities under Section 12 of the City Charter, Chapter 173 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, and Sections 120.13 and 120.14(e) of the Ohio Revised Code in providing legal counsel to indigent persons charged with criminal offenses. Since 1976, the City has contracted with the Commission to represent in the Franklin County Municipal Court all indigent persons (based on poverty guidelines as determined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services) charged with violations of an ordinance of the City of Columbus. Except for State-charged misdemeanors, the City funds the Municipal Unit while the Franklin County Commissioners fund the balance.
Award of this contract meets the procurement provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Emergency action is requested since the start of this contract was January 1, 2013. Action prior to this date was not possible until the 2012 contract expenses had been reconciled.
FISCAL IMPACT: This contract is presented on an understanding that the total cost of the program is $4,384,541, of which the Franklin County Commissioners' portion is 60 percent and the City's portion is 40 percent. After 35 percent reimbursement from the State Public Defender Commission, it is expected that the cost to the City will be $1,139,981. This amount is adjusted by $58,496 from the 2012 expenditure reconciliation, resulting in a net 2013 contract amount of $1,198,477. In the event the actual State-charged misdemeanors differs from the estimate, and/or the State reimburses at a different rate, the city may owe the County or be due reimbursement. A reconciliation will be conducted at year-end to determine the final charges. It should also be noted that this contract is a budgeted expense within the Financial Management Division’s 2013 operating budget.
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To authorize the Director of the Department of Finance an...
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