Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers (CELC). CELC is the existing Pre-Kindergarten education program provider at the Hilltop Early Learning Center, as authorized by Ord 1754-2025. Pursuant to Ord 1754-2025, the Office of Education was authorized to enter into an Operations Agreement with CELC. This Operations Agreement had an initial term for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026. An encumbrance is therefore needed to pay contract services related to pre-kindergarten programming for the first renewal period of September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027.
$2,120,000 in additional funds will be expended under this modification. The need for additional funding and services were foreseen at the time the contract was initially awarded, and were appropriated in the 2026 Operating Budget. It would not be in the city's best interests to have the additional contract requirements awarded through other procurement processes specified in this chapter as Columbus Early Learning Centers has operated the Master Operator of the Hilltop Early Learning Center since 2022. The funding for the additional services are consistent with prior year funding.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $2,120,000.00 with Columbus Early Learning Centers for the period September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Funding for this contract is budgeted and available within the 2026 Mayor’s Office of Education general operating budget.
Title
To authorize the City Auditor to establish an encumbrance for the payment of contract services with Columbus Early Learning Centers; and to authorize the expenditure of $2,120,000.00 from the General Fund. ($2,120,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Mayor Ginther’s vision for Columbus, America’s Opportunity City, is that every child is ready for kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, participation in quality early chi...
Click here for full text