Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $100,000 for fiscal year 2019 within the Franklin County Municipal Court’s Assisted Civil Self Help indigent fund. The program began in January 2016. The program provides information about the court system and non-legal assistance to civil litigants qualifying as indigent and appearing pro se before the Court.
To support the program, the Franklin County Municipal Court instituted a special project cost, as authorized by Ohio Revised Code, § 1901.26(B)(1). The project cost is a $1.00 charge for all civil, traffic, and criminal cases. Funds are to be used for the Franklin County Municipal Court to pay the Moritz College of Law for services of an attorney to staff and provide services at the Self Help Resource Center.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are sufficient funds available within the Assisted Civil Self Help fund to support the requested appropriation level for 2019.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $100,000.00 for 2019 from the unappropriated balance of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges' assisted civil self-help fund. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, an appropriation of $100,000 for fiscal year 2019 within the Franklin County Municipal Court’s Assisted Civil Self Help indigent fund is necessary in order to continue with the services of the self help desk; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court to appropriate the aforementioned funds, in order for the self help desk to commence expending these funds; thereby preserving the public health, peace, safety, and welfare; now, therefore;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the sum of $100,000 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the special revenue, assisted civil self-help fund, and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources unappropriated for any other purposes during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 according to the account codes in the attachment.
SECTION 2. That the monies appropriated in Section 1 shall be paid upon the order of the Administrative and Presiding Judge, and that no Order shall be drawn down or paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.