Explanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with The Carey Group for training on evidence based practices. The Court was awarded two grants from the State of Ohio and one from the State Justice Institute (SJI). All three in part or completely were awarded for training. We were awarded $50,000 from the SJI and $21,500 and $10,150 from JRIG and JCORE grants, respectively. The probation user fee fund will be funding $8,250. This is a grand total of $89,900
In 2015, the Department of Probation Services (DOPS) committed to becoming an evidence-based organization, and to employing the Risk, Needs, Responsivity (RNR) Principle through a differential, risk-based supervision structure. Two major hurdles were identified in the planning phase: how to manage the high volume of new cases that the DOPS receives (approx. 500/month) while keeping caseloads manageable; and how to allow placement, duration and programming decisions to be guided by the assessment without access to the information prior to sentencing. In a significant demonstration of commitment to this project, the judges agreed that they would allow these decisions to be made post-sentence, by the DOPS.
EMERGENCY ACTION is requested in order to start training as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funds are available in the Grant Fund and the Probation User Fee Fund. Pending passage of legislation 1049-2019 for grant G251906 (SJI).
Title
To authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into contract with The Carey Group for training services; to authorize the expenditure of $86,650.00 from the grant fund and $3,250.00 from the probation user fee fund for a total of $89,900.00; and to declare an emergency. ($89,900.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is in the city's best interest that the Franklin County Municipal Court receive support for an enhanced probationary service for offenders; and
WHEREAS, funds in an amount up to an amount not to exceed $86,650 is budgeted within the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges Grant Fund for this contractual agreement and $3,250 from the probation user fee fund; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a contract and associated expenditures with the The Carey Group in order to assure the start of the training thereby preserving the public peace, property, health, safety, and welfare; Now, Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the expenditure of $89,900 or as much thereof as may be necessary is hereby authorized from the grant fund and the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges.
SECTION 2. That the Administrating and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into contract with The Carey Group for training through December 31, 2019.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is 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.