aExplanation
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes the Franklin County Municipal Court Administrative and Presiding Judge to enter into the first year of a four-year agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, a government agency and authorizes the expenditure of up to $205,606.35 from the general fund for the transport of persons taken into custody at the Courthouse.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and the Franklin County Sheriff entered contracts, and subsequent amendments to those contracts, with the various political subdivisions located within Franklin County, Ohio, including the City of Columbus, for the Housing of Prisoners (“Prisoner Housing Contract”), pursuant to which the political subdivisions pay to the County a per diem charge for each prisoner incarcerated in the Franklin County Corrections Center under a municipal ordinance of the respective municipality. Paragraph 5 of the Prisoner Housing Contract, the per diem charge paid by the Court includes the cost of conveying prisoners held at the Franklin County Corrections Center to the Franklin County Municipal Court but does not include the cost of otherwise transporting persons taken into custody at the courthouse.
Within this agreement, the Court will contribute to the cost of transporting persons taken into custody, other than the transportation included under paragraph 5 of the Prisoner Housing Contract.
FISCAL IMPACT: The funds are available for transfer in the 2024 general fund budget. This ordinance is contingent on the passage of the 2024 operating budget, Ordinance 3011-2023.
EMERGENCY: Emergency legislation is requested to authorize the court to enter into agreement according to terms presented by Franklin County.
Title
To authorize and direct the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into the first year of a four-year agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, a government agency and authorizes the expenditure of up to $205,606.35 from the general fund for transport of persons taken into custody at the courthouse; and to declare an emergency. ($205,606.35)
Body
WHEREAS, the Court has determined that it is in its best interest to enter into an agreement with Franklin County; and
WHEREAS, $205,606.35 is needed to provide these services during the period ending March 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Franklin County Municipal Court, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court to enter into agreement and authorize the expenditure with Franklin County to ensure no disruption in transportation of persons taken into custody at the courthouse, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Administrative and Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court be and is hereby authorized to enter into agreement with the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, for the transportation of persons taken into custody at the courthouse for the period ending March 31, 2025.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of $205,606.35, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized from the Franklin County Municipal Court.
SECTION 3. That the renewal of the agreement is authorized for three (3) one (1) year renewals contingent upon the appropriation of funds from City Council and the encumbrance of said funds by the City Auditor.
SECTION 4. 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 5. That for the 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.