Explanation
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, the City of Columbus instituted mandatory direct deposit for its employees. At the same time, in order to offer an alternative to employees who were unwilling or unable to provide banking information, the Columbus City Treasurer’s Office entered into contract for two years with US Bank for payroll cards at no cost to the City. In 2020, the City Treasurer’s Office entered into a second contract with US Bank for payroll cards for its employees, again, at no cost to the City.
With passage of ordinance number 1821-2021 on July 12, 2021, Columbus City Council authorized the City Treasurer's Office to modify its contract with US Bank to provide gift cards for Columbus Public Health for it to offer gift cards as an incentive for those that receive a vaccine at a CPH COVID-19 vaccination site.
Due to the strength of community adoption, Columbus Public Health extended its incentive program for six additional weeks with additional resources provided by American Rescue Plan funding. Columbus Public Health requested and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther provided authorization in an Emergency Letter dated August 10, 2021. Columbus City Council authorized another modification of the City Treasurer’s Office contract with US Bank to provide additional gift cards for Columbus Public Health with passage of ordinance 2188-2021 on September 13, 2021.
The Department of Public Safety, Division of Police, had a project in collaboration with the Division of Fire for community event on October 23, 2021 to compensate individuals who voluntarily surrendered firearms with a gift card. Contraband Seizure Funds were authorized for this project. Columbus City Council authorized this contract modification and expenditures with US Bank with passage of ordinance 2579-2021 on October 11, 2021.
On November 18, 2021 Columbus Public Health again requested and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther provided authorization in an Emergency Letter to extend its incentive program through...
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