Explanation
BACKGROUND: Columbus Public Health has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CDC. This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $9,020,511.00 in grant monies to fund the Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant program, for the period December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027. The total amount funded for this period is $9,020,511.00.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a historic investment in the infrastructure of U.S. public health agencies. The purpose of this grant is to provide support for core infrastructure improvements that include, but are not limited to, Columbus Public Health’s workforce, foundational capabilities and data infrastructure. Stronger infrastructure will serve immediate needs to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other public health outcomes that worsened or stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investments will have sustained effects that position Columbus Public Health to better meet the ongoing and future public health needs of the communities and populations they serve. The scope of possible workforce investments is wide, including hiring, retaining, supporting and training the workforce. This grant permits innovative ways to help retain and support the work of public health staff to include food incentives. A portion of the funds from this grant will be utilized to purchase food and beverages for staff throughout the year. The spending cap is $20 per employee, per event not to exceed 5 events per year. Any purchase of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
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: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems 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. ($9,020,511.00)
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 $9,020,511.00 and any additional funds for the Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant program; to authorize the appropriation of $9,020,511.00 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. ($9,020,511.00)
Body
WHEREAS, $9,020,511.00 in grant funds have been made available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant program for the period of December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027; and,
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has a need to purchase food and/or beverage items for staff retention throughout the year at a spending cap of $20 per employee, per event not to exceed 5 events per year; 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 Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems 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 Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant program; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to allow the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems 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 $9,020,511.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant program for the period December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027.
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 $9,020,511.00 is appropriated in Fund 2251 The Health Department Grants Fund 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 Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant program for the period December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027.
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 Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems 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.