Explanation
This legislation modifies the Special Revenue Environmental Fund, which was created in 2003, to cover the costs of litigating public nuisance abatement actions in the Environmental Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court. The Special Revenue Environmental Fund is funded by earmarked fines paid by persons convicted of violating any housing, building, zoning, health, safety, fire air pollution or sanitation ordinance of the Columbus City Code; and currently has a maximum allotment of $150,000. The cost of litigating public nuisance abatement actions in Franklin County Environmental Court has risen since the creation of the Special Revenue Environmental Fund, including the costs of associated training, equipment, supplies, and furniture. Additionally, in the course of litigating public nuisance, the City Attorney’s Office often encounters low-income tenants of nuisance properties who are in need of social services. It has been deemed necessary and appropriate to modify the Special Revenue Environmental Fund from a maximum allotment of $150,000 to a maximum allotment of $250,000; and to cover the costs of litigating public nuisance abatement actions to include associated services, training, furniture, equipment, and supplies.
Title
To authorize the Auditor to modify the Special Revenue Environmental Fund from a maximum allotment of $150,000.00 to a maximum allotment of $250,000.00; and to cover the costs of litigating public nuisance abatement actions to include associated services, training, furniture, equipment, and supplies.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus created the Special Revenue Environmental Fund in 2003 to cover the costs of litigating public nuisance abatement actions in Franklin County Environmental Court; and
WHEREAS, the Special Revenue Environmental Fund is funded by earmarked fines paid by persons convicted of violating any housing, building, zoning, health, safety, fire air pollution or sanitation ordinance of the Col...
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