Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Municipal Court Judges have been provided funding from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund in order to continue services for the Specialty Docket Programs. This legislation authorizes a transfer of $380,000. The Specialty Docket consists of three programs, the Solicitation Program, the Addiction Program and the Military and Veteran's Court Program. The Solicitation Program Specialty Docket, Changing Actions To Change Habits (CATCH Program), is intended to provide a mechanism to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration for a person whose multiple solicitation arrests, summons and charges have negatively impacted the person's quality of life and community safety. Many of these individuals have a history of multiple arrests, criminal behavior, drug addiction, poverty and being victimized as a result of soliciting. The CATCH Program requires limited court involvement in treatment planning and compliance, which should result in more effective utilization of other court and county resources.
The Addiction Program Specialty Docket (APSD) provides a mechanism to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration for a person whose arrests, summons and charges are associated with alcohol and/or chemical dependence (AOD), which negatively impact the person's quality of life and community safety. Many of these individuals have a history of multiple arrests, typically OMVI, criminal behavior, drug addiction, poverty and transient housing. The APSD requires limited court involvement in treatment planning and compliance, which should result in more effective utilization of other county and court resources.
The Military and Veteran Specialty Docket is intended to promote effective treatment as an alternative to incarceration for people whose criminal charges may be directly or indirectly connected to military service or combat. The arrests, summons, and charges obtained by these individuals have a negative impact on their quality of life and the safety of the community. Many of these individuals will have suffered from drug addiction, poverty, and a lack of community support. The Military and Veteran Service Specialty Docket Program requires limited court involvement in treatment planning and compliance, which should result in more effective utilization of other court and county resources.
FISCAL IMPACT: To authorize appropriation of $380,000 to the Public Safety Initiatives Fund and to transfer cash totaling $380,000 from the Public Safety Initiative Fund to the Municipal Court's Specialty Docket Program. No additional appropriation is needed in the Municipal Court's Specialty Docket Program at this time.
EMERGENCY: Emergency action is requested to continue funding of the program without interruption.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $380,000.00 from the Public Safety Initiative Fund; to authorized the City Auditor to transfer said funds from the Public Safety Initiative Fund to the Municipal Court's Specialty Docket Program Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($380,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, The Franklin County Municipal Court operates the Specialty Docket which consists of three programs (CATCH, ADAP and Military and Veteran) to help ensure that an adequate treatment response is accessible to defendants exhibiting histories of alcohol and /or chemical dependence, and;
WHEREAS, $380,000 from the Public Safety Initiatives Fund to be transferred to the Municipal Court Judges in order to continue to support the Specialty Court Docket Program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this appropriation so that funding for this important program can continue without interruption, and for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare; now, therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated balance of the Public Safety Initiates Fund No. 016 and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purchase during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012, the sum of $380,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary is herby appropriated to the Department of Public Safety, department No. 30, Object level One 10, Object level three 5502, OCA 300116.
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer $380,000:
From: Public Safety Initiative Fund, Dept No. 30-01, Fund 016, Object level one 10, object level three 5502, oca 300116.
To: Municipal Court Specialty Docket Program, Dept No. 25-01, Fund 226, Subfund 004, Object level one 3, object level 3 0886, oca 226004
SECTION 3. All monies necessary to carry out the purpose of this Ordinance are hereby appropriated.
SECTION 4. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes necessary to ensure that these transactions are properly accounted for and recorded accurately on the city's financial records
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.