Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to accept a grant in the amount of $109,569.91 from the State of Ohio, Crime Victim Assistance Office, and to appropriate from the unappropriated balance of the general government grant fund to the Probation Department of the Franklin County Municipal Court, the total amount of the grant. This grant will fund a portion of the salaries and fringe benefits of two (2) staff members to provide victim assistance and for the continuation of a program to assist probation officers primarily in the domestic violence unit. The grant will also pay for computers, furniture, and bus passes. The staff acts as liaisons to the City Prosecutor and works with the victims of crime when a perpetrator has been placed on probation. In addition, this ordinance authorizes the appropriation and transfer of $27,392.48 from the Court's special revenue fund, probation fees as a grant match to fund the balance of the expenses not funded by the State of Ohio.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund resources are needed as the grant match is available from the Court's special revenue fund, probation fees.
EMERGENCY LEGISLATION is requested so that the Court can expend the funds prior to the grant’s expiration date of 9/30/16. The Court will also have to hire two new staff. This grant was awarded mid cycle.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to accept a grant award from the State of Ohio, Crime Victims Assistance Office; to appropriate $109,569.91 from the unappropriated balance of the general government grant fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court; to appropriate and transfer $27,392.48 from the Municipal Court special revenue fund, probation fees to the general government grant fund; and to declare an emergency. ($136,962.39)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Columbus to provide victim services in the Franklin County Municipal Court, Department of Probation Services; and
WHEREAS, a grant from the State of Ohio, Crime Victims Assistance Office in the amount of $109,569.91 has been awarded to provide a portion of the costs; and
WHEREAS, a grant match in the amount of $27,392.48 will be provided by probation user fees for the remaining portion; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the city in that it is immediately necessary to accept the aforementioned grant to continue probationary services in the area of victim assistance and to appropriate and transfer the necessary funds for the program thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to accept a grant in the amount of $109,569.91 from the State of Ohio, Crime Victims Assistance Office.
SECTION 2. That the sum of $27,392.48 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the special revenue fund, fund 2227, subfund 222703, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purposes during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.
That the amount of $27,392.48 is hereby transferred as noted in attachment Voca Grant.
SECTION 3. That funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated. That from the unappropriated balance in the general government grant fund, fund 2220, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and appropriated for any other purpose during the months ending September 30, 2016, the sum of $136,962.39 is appropriated to the Franklin County Municipal Court, department number 2501 as noted in attachment Voca Grant.
SECTION 4. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 3 shall be paid upon the order of the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 5. That at the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grant is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements
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 its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.