City of Columbus - File #: 1707-2025

• File #: 1707-2025
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 6/12/2025
• In control: Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee
• On agenda: 7/21/2025
• Final action: 7/23/2025
• Title: To authorize an appropriation of $285,000.00 from the unencumbered balance in the Municipal Court Clerk Computer Fund; to authorize the Municipal Court Clerk to enter into a one (1) year contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC for the provision of a Justice Ecosystem Study; to waive the competitive provisions of Columbus City Code; to authorize an expenditure up to $285,000.00 from the Municipal Court Clerk Computer Fund; and to declare an emergency.($285,000.00)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/23/2025	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
7/22/2025	1	MAYOR	Signed
7/21/2025	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
7/21/2025	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass

Explanation

Background: This legislation authorizes an appropriation of $285,000.00 from the unencumbered balance of the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk Computer Fund; authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk (Municipal Court Clerk) to enter into a one (1) year contract with Mission Critical Partners, LLC for the provision of a Justice Ecosystem Study for a new Case Management System (Justice Ecosystem Study); authorizes an expenditure up to $285,000.00 from the Municipal Court Clerk Computer Fund.

The Municipal Court Clerk has a need to obtain a professional services consulting firm to consider strategies to address the functionality and longevity of its current case management system (CMS) and recommend a path forward for a system that would meet the needs of our entire justice system.
A court clerk’s CMS is a critical operational function, and it is important to have external assessment and analysis done to ensure the new CMS fits the needs of not only the Franklin County Municipal Court and the Municipal Court Clerk, but the justice partners and community members who use the system daily. The Municipal Court Clerk has had its current CMS since 1999. The Clerk has developed a 5-year plan to update the current CMS to a new cutting-edge system. The first phase starts with the Justice Ecosystem Study to ensure those needs of the entire justice system will be met.
The Ohio General Assembly has passed several bills attempting to modernize Ohio Courts. Senate Bill 94 requires municipal courts to accept all filings electronically. It is critical to have an updated CMS to ensure compliance with legal mandates.
The purchase will be from the Ohio State Term Schedule, Contract Number 534504; Expiration Date 6/30/2026. The Municipal Court Clerk has deemed the State Term Schedule to be the most cost-effective method due its availability for use under ordnance 582-1987 and vetted process used by the State of Ohio to provide contracts. Therefore, the M...