Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $50,000 for fiscal year 2020 within the Franklin County Municipal Court's fund for dispute resolution. The Franklin County Municipal Court instituted its pre-filing mediation program for small claims cases in 1984; the program provides mediation services for individuals and business who wish to resolve their disputes and avoid filing a small claims case.
To support this effort, the Franklin County Municipal Court instituted a special project cost, as authorized by the Ohio Revised Code, § 1901.26 (B)(1). The project cost is a $15.00 per case charge that covers up to five checks per debtor.
Funds are to be used to assist in the support of dispute resolution program efforts within the Small Claims Division, not to supplant existing funds. The intent of these funds is to provide for the purchase of services and other similar small claims-related expenses not currently available to the Court's small claims services department.
FISCAL IMPACT: There are sufficient funds available within the Dispute Resolution fund to support the requested appropriation level for 2020.
EMERGENCY: An emergency is being requested in order to continue dispute resolution efforts by the small claims department without delay, thus enhancing small claim services.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $50,000.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Franklin County Municipal Court Judges dispute resolution fund for all FY 2020 anticipated expenses associated with the enhancement of small claim services; and to declare an emergency. ($50,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, an appropriation of these funds is necessary in order to continue with the dispute resolution efforts to enhance the small claim services and the payment thereof; and
WHEREAS, the funds are to be used to assist in the support of dispute resolution program efforts within the Small Claims Division, not to supplant existing funds, in order to provide for the purchase of services and other similar small claims-related expenses not currently available to the Court's small claims services department; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate the aforementioned funds, in order for the small claims department to commence expending these funds, thereby preserving 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 sum of $50,000 be and is hereby appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the special revenue fund, dispute resolution, 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, 2020 per the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That monies appropriated in Section 1 shall be paid upon the recommendation of the Small Claims Department Manager and upon the order of the Administrative and Presiding Judge, and that no order shall be drawn or 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.