Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an appropriation of $20,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund to Columbus Public Health in support of their car seat program.
Columbus Public Health, in coordination with the CelebrateOne infant mortality reduction initiative and Safe Kids Central Ohio Injury Prevention program, distributes and installs child safety seats in vehicles for qualifying city residents. Car seats are provided to qualified residents (based on income) at reduced prices, with convertible car seats provided at a cost of $30.00 and booster seats provided at a cost of $10.00. In addition, certified staff members assist families who already have car seats by helping them install the seat properly into their vehicle at no cost to the family.
In 2016, Columbus City Council provided supplemental funding to hire an additional part-time staff member in order to reduce the wait time for car seat installations and inspections. Since last year, the wait list has continued to grow, reflecting an increased community need.
This $20,000 will fund an additional supply of car seats used by Columbus Public Health in order to continue the program at its current success rate. Without funding, it is possible CPH will run out of car seats by September 2017 which will result in the wait list growing until funding becomes available in the 2018 operating budget.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to more immediately provide Columbus Public Health with the resources necessary to sustain the car seat program and respond to increasing community needs.
Title
To authorize an appropriation of $20,000.00 to Columbus Public Health within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund in support of the car seat program; and to declare an emergency. ($20,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, in an effort to address the infant mortality rate in central Ohio, Columbus Public Health distributes car seats and booster seats at significantly reduced rates to income-eligible families; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, Columbus City Council provided supplemental resources to Columbus Public Health in response to increasing community demand for car seats and to reduce the wait list for those in need; and
WHEREAS, community demand has continued to increase, and in order to keep up with demand, Columbus City Council deems it an effective use of funds to provide Columbus Public Health with additional resources to procure car seats; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to provide Columbus Public Health with supplemental resources in order to keep up with increased community demand; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $20,000.00 in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100018, to Columbus Public Health, in Object Class 02 - Materials and Supplies, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
See Attached File: Ord 1378-2017 Legislation Template.xls
SECTION 2. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner, 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 3. 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.