City of Columbus - File #: 1008-2008

• File #: 1008-2008
• Version: 1
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Passed
• File created: 6/9/2008
• In control: Finance & Economic Development Committee
• On agenda: 7/7/2008
• Final action: 7/9/2008
• Title: To authorize the transfer of $350,512.02 within the General Fund, Department of Finance and Management, Financial Management Division; to authorize the Director of the Department of Finance and Management to amend the Public Defender contract and to expend an additional $350,512.02 to cover reconciliation costs due pursuant to a post-year reconciliation of 2007 public defender costs, and to declare an emergency ($350,512.02)
• Sponsors: Kevin L. Boyce, Hearcel Craig

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/9/2008	1	CITY CLERK	Attest
7/8/2008	1	MAYOR	Signed
7/7/2008	1	Columbus City Council	Approved	Pass
7/7/2008	1	COUNCIL PRESIDENT	Signed
6/24/2008	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Approved
6/24/2008	1	Finance Drafter	Sent to Clerk's Office for Council
6/23/2008	1	Atty Drafter	Sent for Approval
6/23/2008	1	CITY AUDITOR	Reviewed and Approved
6/20/2008	1	Auditor Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
6/20/2008	1	Finance Drafter	Sent for Approval
6/19/2008	1	Finance Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
6/18/2008	1	Finance Drafter	Sent for Approval
6/18/2008	1	CITY ATTORNEY	Reviewed and Disapproved
6/17/2008	1	EBOCO Reviewer	Reviewed and Approved
6/12/2008	1	FINANCE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
6/10/2008	1	FINANCE DIRECTOR	Reviewed and Approved
6/9/2008	1	Finance Drafter	Sent for Approval

Explanation
BACKGROUND
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 charged (based on poverty guidelines as determined by the United States Department of Health and Human Services) with the 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.

This ordinance authorizes the Department of Finance and Management to amend the 2007 contract with the Public Defender and to authorize an additional expense of $350,515.02 to provide funds to make a reconciliation payment to Franklin County. On an annual basis, a post-year reconciliation of public defender costs ascertains the accuracy of City costs in accordance with the contract for Public Defender services. The reconciliation for 2007 indicates the City owes an additional $350,515.02

Award of this contract meets the procurement provisions of Chapter 329.29 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.

This ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the city's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial processing promotes accurate accounting and financial management.

FINANCIAL IMPACT
This is an unfunded expense. The original estimated cost to the city for 2007 Public Defender services was $932,160. At the time the 2007 contract was entered into, it was estimated that 66% of cases would be related to indigent persons with misdemeanor criminal violations of state law (and therefore the responsibility of Franklin County) and the r...