City of Columbus - File #: 1662-2006

• File #: 1662-2006
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 9/19/2006
• In control: Safety Committee
• On agenda: 10/16/2006
• Final action: 10/18/2006
• Title: To authorize and direct the City Auditor to establish a new subfund within the Franklin County Municipal Court's special project fund for the receipt of monies related to the Court's dispute resolution program; and to declare an emergency.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
10/18/2006	1	MAYOR	Signed
10/18/2006	1	ACTING CITY CLERK	Attest
10/16/2006	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
10/16/2006	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
10/2/2006	1	MuniCrtJudges Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
9/29/2006	1	MuniCrtJudges Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/29/2006	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
9/28/2006	1	MuniCrtJudges Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/28/2006	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
9/28/2006	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
9/28/2006	1	FINANCE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
9/26/2006	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
9/26/2006	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
9/25/2006	1	MuniCrtJudges Drafter	Sent for Approval
9/25/2006	1	MUNICRTJUDGES DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
9/25/2006	1	MuniCrtJudges Drafter	Sent for Approval

Explanation

BACKGROUND: The Franklin County Municipal Court has a long and successful history of providing alternative dispute resolution services. The Court instituted its pre-filing mediation program for small claims cases in 1984; the program provides mediation services for individuals and business who wish to resolve their disputes and avoid filing a small claims case. Currently, this program schedules 2,500 mediations annually. Another type of service, which is for businesses and government agencies attempting to collect on accounts payable, is the accounts mediation program that helps businesses resolve hundreds of cases each year. A pilot project for a third program, the check resolution service, began in July of 2006.

To support this effort, the Franklin County Municipal Court plans to institute a new special project cost, as authorized by the Ohio Revised Code, § 1901.26 (B)(1). The project cost will be a $15.00 per case charge that will cover up to five checks per debtor. It is expected that the program will generate $75,000 in revenue annually. Program revenues will be used to assist in the support of dispute resolution program efforts within the Small Claims Division.

This ordinance authorizes the establishment of a new subfund within the Franklin County Municipal Court's special project fund for the purpose of accepting funds specifically generated by the Court's check resolution service program.

Emergency action is requested to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the city's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management.

FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance establishes a special project cost for the receipt of funds generated by the Court's check resolution program.


Title

To authorize and direct the City Auditor to establish a new subfund within the Franklin County Municipal Court's special project fund for the receipt of monies relate...