Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $20,000 for fiscal year 2016 within the Franklin County Municipal Court's fund for dispute resolution. The Franklin County Municipal Court instituted its pre-filing mediation program for small claims cases in 1984; the program seeks to avoid the filing of small claims complaints by providing mediation services to interested parties before a small claims case is filed.
To support this effort, the Franklin County Municipal Court instituted a special project cost, authorized by Ohio Revised Code ยง1901.26(B)(1), or $15.00.
Funds are to be used to assist in the support of dispute resolution program efforts within the Small Claims Division, not to supplant existing funds. The intent of these funds is to provide for the purchase of services and other similar small claims-related expenses not currently available to the Court's small claims services department.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are sufficient funds available within the Dispute Resolution fund to support the requested appropriation level for 2016.
Emergency legislation is requested to allow for a contract for online mediation services to be established.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $20,000.00 for 2016 from the unappropriated balance of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges dispute resolution fund for all anticipated expenses associated with the enhancement of small claim services; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize an appropriation of $20,000 for fiscal year 2016 within the Franklin County Municipal Court's fund for dispute resolution funds in order to continue with the enhancement of small claim services and the payment thereof; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate the aforementioned funds in order for the small claims department to commence expendin...
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