Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Finance and Management, Division of Grants Management has been awarded annual entitlement funds for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This ordinance is needed to appropriate a portion of the award for the Arts and Fitness Facilities Upgrades program managed by the Recreation and Parks Department. There will be subsequent ordinances submitted by other City departments to appropriate the remaining grant funds and authorize contracts and expenditures for various CDBG activities.
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
The proposed funding for the Program Year 2021 allocated by HUD includes expenditures for the expansion of existing programing and new programing to serve low to moderate income residents of Columbus. All expenditures must be consistent with the community needs, priorities, and strategies stated in the City’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan approved by HUD. The appropriations requested in this ordinance align with the 2021 Action Plan approved by City Council within Ord#0664-2021.
Emergency action is requested to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management.
FISCAL EMPACT: The CDBG program is primarily funded with entitlement awards by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, certain grant programs may generate revenue that must be spent on furthering CDBG programming as required by the grantor. The total amount of funding appropriated as a result of the passage of this ordinance is $222,610.00.
Title
To authorize the appropriation of $222,610.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Community Development Block Grant fund; and to declare an emergency. ($222,610.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City has received entitlement grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Block Grant program for the period of January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate a portion of these funds from HUD for the support of the Arts and Fitness Facilities Upgrades program; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City’s accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Finance and Management in that it is immediately necessary to appropriate these funds within the CDBG fund for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare and to avoid delay in services; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That from the unappropriated monies and from all monies estimated to come into said fund from any and all sources and unappropriated for any other purpose during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, the sum of $226,610.00 is appropriated in Fund 2248 Community Development Block Grant Fund per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. At the end of the grant period, any repayment of unencumbered balances required by the grantor is hereby authorized and any unused City match monies may be transferred back to the City fund from which they originated in accordance with all applicable grant agreements.
SECTION 3. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 4. 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.