Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $3,396,978.00 in grant monies to fund the CDC Health Disparities grant program, for the period June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023. The total amount funded for this period is $3,396,978.00.
The purpose of Columbus Public Health’s Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities will be to increase capacity and services to prevent and control COVID-19 infection and transmission among populations at higher risk. Our outcomes will be 1) Reduce COVID-19-related health disparities; 2) Improve and increase testing and contact tracing among populations at higher risk; and 3) Improve Columbus Public Health’s capacity and services to prevent and control COVID-19 infection or transmission. Columbus Public Health will use an evidence-based, holistic, and collaborative approach to address COVID-19-related health disparities. This funding will support the implementation of the following strategies: 1) Expand existing and develop new mitigation and prevention resources and services to reduce COVID-19 related disparities among populations at higher risk by testing, contact tracing, vaccine coordination, and preventive care through collaborations with traditional and non-traditional partners; 2) Build, leverage and expand infrastructure to support COVID-19 prevention and control through advice, guidance and recommendations from multi-sector coalitions; updated COVID-19 and Health Equity Plans; and hiring people from the communities at highest risk; 3) Mobilize partners to advance health equity and address social determinants of health as they relate to COVID-19 health disparities by building community capacity to reach high risk populations with effective culturally and linguistically tailored programs and practices.
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 IMPACT: CDC Health Disparities Grant Program is entirely funded by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and does not generate revenue or require a City match. ($3,396,978.00)
Title
To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $3,396,978.00 and any additional funds for the CDC Health Disparities grant program; to authorize the appropriation of $3,396,978.00 and any additional funds from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the CDC Health and Disparities grant program; and to declare an emergency. ($3,396,978.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $3,396,978.00 in grant funds have been made available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the CDC Health Disparities grant program for the period of June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to accept and appropriate these funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of the CDC Health Disparities grant program; and,
WHEREAS, the City may receive additional funds awarded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the support of the CDC Health Disparities grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the CDC Health Disparities grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department; 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 Columbus Public Health in that it is immediately necessary to accept these grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and to appropriate these funds to the Health Department for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare and to avoid delay in client services; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept a grant award of $3,396,978.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the CDC Health Disparities grant program for the period June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023.
SECTION 2. 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, 2023, the sum of $3,396,978.00 and any eligible interest earned during the grant period is hereby appropriated in Fund 2251 per the account codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That the monies appropriated in the foregoing Section 2 shall be paid upon the order of the Health Commissioner and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except upon voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the CDC Health Disparities grant program for the period June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023.
SECTION 7. 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, 2023 any additional awarded funds are appropriated in Fund 2251 according to notification of award or grant agreement by the grantor.
SECTION 8. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the CDC Health Disparities grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
SECTION 9. 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.