Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with HR&A Advisors to perform an analysis of the City’s current incentive offerings for residential, office and industrial development. HR&A Advisors was selected from a formal RFP process conducted by members of the Development Department.
The City is seeking to better understand the impacts of its current incentive programs on the City’s development patterns and competitiveness, and if advisable, is seeking recommendations for modifications to its current incentive policies and program offerings to achieve the desired industry growth patterns that foster job expansion, competitive wages, workforce attraction, economic inclusion and community development.
Emergency action is requested to allow HR&A Advisors to begin work immediately on the Tax Incentive Study for the preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare of the Citizens of Columbus.
FISCAL IMPACT: Up to $150,000 will be expended from the General Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with HR&A Advisors to perform an analysis of the City’s current incentive offerings for residential, office and industrial development; to authorize a transfer within and an expenditure of up to $150,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($150,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Development conducted a formal Request for Proposals to select and award a contract to conduct the incentive analysis; and
WHEREAS, HR&A Advisors was selected from a formal RFP process conducted by members of the Development Department; and
WHEREAS, the City is seeking to better understand the impacts of its current incentives programs on development patterns and competitiveness; and
WHEREAS, if advisable, we are seeking recommendations for modifications to current incentive policies and program offerings to achieve the desired industry growth patterns that foster job expansion, competitive wages, workforce attraction, economic inclusion and community development; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Development in that it is immediately necessary to enter into contract with HR&A Advisors so that the study can begin immediately, and for the preservation of 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 Director of the Department of Development is hereby authorized to enter into contract with HR&A Advisors to perform an analysis of the City’s current incentive offerings for residential, office and industrial development.
SECTION 2. That the transfer of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized between projects within Fund 1000 General Fund operating per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose stated in Section 1, the expenditure of up to $150,000 or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 1000 General Fund in Object Class 03 Contractual Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this contract is awarded in accordance with the relevant provisions of City Code Chapter 329 relating to the award of professional services contracts.
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. 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.