Explanation
This legislation authorizes an appropriation to Columbus Public Health in support of their purchase of gun lock boxes.
Columbus Public Health provides free gun safes and lock boxes to residents. Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens. In 2022, Columbus Public Health gave away more than 1,000 safe storage lock boxes.
Emergency action is necessary to provide Columbus Public Health with resources to purchase gun lock boxes as soon as possible to address the current and ongoing issues with gun violence.
Fiscal Impact: Total appropriation of $45,000 is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Title
To provide funding for Columbus Public Health to purchase gun lock boxes; to authorize and transfer appropriations within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; to authorize a transfer between funds; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Health Operating Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($45,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Firearms are the leading cause of death for American children and teens and in 2022, there were at least 21 unintentional shootings by children in Ohio, resulting in nine deaths and 13 injuries; and
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health provides free gun safes and lock boxes to residents; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, Columbus Public Health has already provided over 200 lock boxes to Columbus residents; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to provide these funds to purchase gun lock boxes to address the current and ongoing issues with gun violence, for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1: That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $45,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, per the accountin...
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