Explanation
BACKGROUND:
In 2013, Columbus City Council provided the Municipal Court Judges with funding to continue a work release program started in 2009. The work release program, through a contract with Alvis House, provides an alternative to incarceration, consistent with public safety in the Franklin County Municipal Court. This enhanced probation program allows individuals to serve their sentence while offering the opportunity to retain their current employment, reducing the risks for recidivism and promoting continued economic development in our city.
This legislation authorizes the transfer, appropriation and expenditure of $250,000.00 from the Columbus City Council Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges to continue their contract with the Alvis House for the purpose of providing work release. In 2009, the State of Ohio provided the necessary monies to start the program.
EMERGENCY ACTION is requested in order to continue operations of this program without interruption in service.
FISCAL IMPACT: This transfer, appropriation and expenditure will be solely funded by the Columbus City Council Public Safety Initiatives Fund.
Contract Compliance Number - 31-0743167
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $250,000.00 from the Columbus City Council Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges; to authorize the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges, through the Administrative and Presiding Judge, to contract with Alvis House to continue providing a work release program as an alternative for incarceration consistent with public safety; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of up to an amount not to exceed $250,000.00; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interest that the Franklin County Municipal Court receive support for an enhanced probationary service for offenders; and
WHEREAS, the work release program furthers public safety and economic development by reducing recidivism and promoting continuity of employment for select individuals; and
WHEREAS, a transfer from the Columbus City Council Public Safety Initiatives Fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges for this contractual agreement with Alvis House will continue support for this important program; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a contract and associated expenditures with the Alvis House in order to assure the continuation of the work release program, thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; NOW THEREFORE
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City is hereby authorized to appropriate $250,000.00 as follows:
Department 30-01, Fund 16, OCA 340116, Object Level Three 5501
SECTION 2. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer $250,000.00 as follows:
From: Columbus City Council, Public Safety Initiatives Fund, Department 30, Fund 16, OCA 340116, Object Level Three 5501
To: Franklin County Municipal Court, Department 2501, Fund 227, OCA Code 250324, Object Level Three 0886
SECTION 3. That the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and hereby is authorized and directed to enter into contract with the Alvis House to provide work release to persons in the Franklin County Municipal Court when consistent with public safety.
SECTION 4. That, for the purposes stated in Section 2, an amount not to exceed the sum of $250,000.00 be and hereby is authorized to be appropriated and expensed from the Franklin County Municipal Court, Department 2501, Fund 227, OCA Code 250324, Object Level Three 3337.
SECTION 5. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.