Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance will establish an auditor's certificate in the amount of $125,000.00 to encumber funds within the Division of Police's General Fund budget to pay claims pending resolution by the City Attorney's Office. There is a need to encumber funds for the resolution of claims that are anticipated to occur in the next few months, prior to the approval of the 2019 General Fund operating budget. Any claims settled by the City Attorney's office exceeding $20,000.00 will be legislated via Council to approve.
Emergency Designation: Emergency legislation is requested to encumber funds for the payment of claims by the City Attorney's Office prior to the passage of the 2019 General Fund operating budget.
FISCAL IMPACT: This ordinance establishes an auditor's certificate to encumber funds within the Division of Police General Fund operating budget in the amount of $125,000.00. Funds are available in the Department of Public Safety’s 2018 General Fund budget.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Auditor to transfer $56,000.00 within Public Safety's General Operating funds; to establish an auditor's certificate for the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, to set aside funds for the payment of claims; to encumber $125,000.00 from the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($125,000.00).
Body
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the transfer of funds between Divisions within Public Safety's General Operating Funds; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance also authorizes the establishment of an auditor's certificate for the Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, to encumber funds for the payment of claims; and,
WHEREAS, funds are budgeted in the Department of Public Safety’s 2018 General Fund budget; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual and daily operation of the Division of Police, Department of Public Safety, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the establishment of an auditor's certificate to encumber funds for the payment of claims for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, property, safety, and welfare; 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 transfer $56,000.00 between divisions and object classes within the general fund, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the establishment of an auditor's certificate to encumber funds for the payment of claims for the Division of Police is hereby authorized.
SECTION 3. That the encumbrance of $125,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, be and the same is hereby authorized, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such account codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for 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.