Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to accept a grant in the amount of $35,355.00 from The Supreme Court of Ohio, and to appropriate from the unappropriated balance of the general government grant fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court, the total amount of the grant. This grant will fund an upgrade to the existing jury management system ("JMS") and introduce online services to enhance juror participation and satisfaction while creating efficiencies for court personnel.
Currently, jurors must call the jury commissioner's office to request postponements or to be excused from jury duty. Jurors who report for jury duty (60-80 every two weeks) complete a paper questionnaire, and all of those answers are then manually entered into the JMS by court staff. This process is redundant and prevents judges from starting jury trials until after 2:00 p.m. on Mondays.
The new software will allow jurors to complete the jury questionnaire and to request postponements and excuses online. The software can be programmed to allow the automation of some responses so jurors receive instant answers. Other requests will still require personal interaction with court staff.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund resources are needed.
Emergency Justification: The Court seeks approval to amend this ordinance to emergency in order to remain in compliance with the terms of the grant.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to accept a grant award from The Supreme Court of Ohio; to appropriate $35,355.00 from the unappropriated balance of the general government grant fund to the Franklin County Municipal Court, and to declare an emergency. ($35,355.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the city's best interest that the Franklin County Municipal Court upgrade the jury management system; and
WHEREAS, grant monies from The Supreme Court of Ohio, in the amount of $35,355 are available to provide the needed technology upgrades; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the City to authorize the Administrative Judge of the Franklin County Municpal Court to accept a grant, for the preservation of the public health, 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 $35,355.00 from The Supreme Court of Ohio.
SECTION 2. 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 1, 2016, the sum of $35,355.00 is appropriated to the Franklin County Municipal Court, department number 2501 as noted in attachment Technology Jury Grant.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 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 4. 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 5. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law. 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 the passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.