{SPAM} E-News Bulletin - A Special Report from Columbus City Schools

n Special Edition – March 8, 2013

E-News Special Report

District to cut approximately $25 million to balance FY14 budget
More than 300 positions to be eliminated, services curtailed, programs discontinued

Over the past 10 years, Columbus City Schools has reduced budget growth by nearly $150 million.  Hundreds of staff positions have been cut, programs eliminated, services curtailed, and wage concessions were negotiated (and in the case of Central Office Administrators, wages were frozen).  

During this same period, we have strategically leveraged grants, federal funds, and partnerships in order to build organizational capacity to improve student achievement. We have also invested in our students through the implementation of new programs, innovative schools, improved curriculum to meet the new common core standards, and even upgraded school safety systems.

Limited state budget increases and a delay in requesting a new operating levy have forced the District to reduce expenditures by approximately $25 million for FY14.  While we will continue to do our best to minimize the impact at the classroom level, so much has been cut over the years that there is almost nothing that can be eliminated today that will not impact the District's schools in some way or another.  

We have systematically looked at nearly every program, department, support function, school, and major service contract.  As is customary for a school district, nearly 85% of our costs are associated with personnel.  Clearly, to extract another $25 million from an already lean budget means that the majority of the impact is going to be realized through staff reductions – equaling more than 300 positions across all levels of the organization.

We have carefully considered how these recommendations impact different grade levels, various staff classifications, the ability to comply with state and federal requirements, and our ability to still provide a strong foundational program for our students.  We also have to be strategic in our thinking and recognize that we need to continue to invest in long-term improvement efforts, such as early reading intervention and pre-kindergarten programs that provide students with much needed academic support at an earlier age.

This is unquestionably a very difficult time.  While these recommended reductions fulfill our need to save money, they most assuredly do not make us better or enable us to more effectively support our schools or students.


Respectfully,

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D.
Superintendent/CEO

Printable Version

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Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.

E-News Bulletin - A Special Report from Columbus City Schools

n Special Edition – March 8, 2013

E-News Special Report

District to cut approximately $25 million to balance FY14 budget
More than 300 positions to be eliminated, services curtailed, programs discontinued

Over the past 10 years, Columbus City Schools has reduced budget growth by nearly $150 million.  Hundreds of staff positions have been cut, programs eliminated, services curtailed, and wage concessions were negotiated (and in the case of Central Office Administrators, wages were frozen).  

During this same period, we have strategically leveraged grants, federal funds, and partnerships in order to build organizational capacity to improve student achievement. We have also invested in our students through the implementation of new programs, innovative schools, improved curriculum to meet the new common core standards, and even upgraded school safety systems.

Limited state budget increases and a delay in requesting a new operating levy have forced the District to reduce expenditures by approximately $25 million for FY14.  While we will continue to do our best to minimize the impact at the classroom level, so much has been cut over the years that there is almost nothing that can be eliminated today that will not impact the District's schools in some way or another.  

We have systematically looked at nearly every program, department, support function, school, and major service contract.  As is customary for a school district, nearly 85% of our costs are associated with personnel.  Clearly, to extract another $25 million from an already lean budget means that the majority of the impact is going to be realized through staff reductions – equaling more than 300 positions across all levels of the organization.

We have carefully considered how these recommendations impact different grade levels, various staff classifications, the ability to comply with state and federal requirements, and our ability to still provide a strong foundational program for our students.  We also have to be strategic in our thinking and recognize that we need to continue to invest in long-term improvement efforts, such as early reading intervention and pre-kindergarten programs that provide students with much needed academic support at an earlier age.

This is unquestionably a very difficult time.  While these recommended reductions fulfill our need to save money, they most assuredly do not make us better or enable us to more effectively support our schools or students.


Respectfully,

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D.
Superintendent/CEO

Printable Version

Are you receiving a pass-along copy of CCS eNews?
To subscribe to our FREE newsletter

Click here  

or here to opt out.

Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.

{SPAM} March 4, 2013 Highlights

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: March 4, 2013   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

BED TAX CHANGES:  The travel and tourism industry in Columbus is responsible for more than $7 billion in annual spending and helps support some 60,000 jobs.   Those are two major reasons that the Columbus City Council, under the leadership of Council President Andrew J. Ginther, worked for more than a year with Mayor Coleman’s administration and business and community leaders to overhaul the way the City’s portion of the hotel/motel bed tax is allocated in Columbus.   The proposal, in ordinance 2648-2012 in the Rules and Reference Committee, will increase funding for Experience Columbus, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and human services organizations without raising the bed tax itself to create a permanent, sustainable funding stream for all three of these important sectors of the community.    

 

HELPING THE HOMELESS:  The Community Shelter Board’s Rebuilding Lives program is a two-pronged approach to ending homelessness and literally “rebuilding lives.” The first prong is meeting the short-term needs of homeless men and women through an improved safety net of emergency shelter. The second prong is the meeting of long-term needs through the development and operation of permanent supportive housing.  Health and Human Services Committee chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring two ordinances this evening in support of the Shelter Board’s Rebuilding Lives mission.   The first, 0469-2013, provides $902,734 to support the Rebuilding Lives Program with the second, 0495-2013, authorizing the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Community Shelter Board for the Safety Net Program. The contract will provide $3,022,304 from the General Fund for the purpose of continuing the City’s support for homeless emergency shelters, the Maryhaven Engagement Center, related homeless shelter services, and homelessness prevention and transition services. These programs have effectively and efficiently enabled our community to help individuals and families who are homeless or near homelessness to resolve their housing crisis.

 

RAIN BARREL PROGRAM:  Rain barrels are simple, inexpensive tools that help residents make a positive impact on our environment.   The barrels divert storm water runoff from properties and lower the impact on the sanitary storm system.   Ordinance 0218-2013, sponsored by Public Utilities Committee chair Eileen Y. Paley, authorizes the Director of Public Utilities to enter into an agreement with the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (FSWCD) for the GreenSpot Backyard Conservation Program for Fiscal Year 2013.  In 2011, a pilot rain barrel program was expanded through a partnership established by Mayor Michael B. Coleman with Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, local watershed groups, and EarthMinded.  The goal of the program is to improve environmental stewardship and water conservation of City of Columbus residents through outreach, workshops and educational material. In order to obtain a rain barrel at a discounted cost, residents were required to attend one of twenty-one in-person rain barrel workshops. In addition, an online option was designed by the FSWCD to allow participants to view a rain barrel installation video, receive information about stormwater and water conservation, and take a quiz. Participants were provided with a fact sheet, access to various websites and other backyard conservation tips. The participants were given one reduced-cost rain barrel per household. In 2012, Franklin Soil and Water and partners were successful in dispensing 964 rain barrels.

 

HIGHLIGHTING “HIGHLIGHTS”:  A beloved children’s publication is expanding its corporate headquarters in Columbus thanks in part to a jobs growth incentive deal with the City.  Councilmember Zach M. Klein, chair of the Development Committee, is sponsoring ordinance 0435-2013 to enter into a 25%, five-year jobs growth incentive with Highlights for Children that will allow the company to create 50 new, permanent full-time jobs while retaining 164 others.   Highlights plans to invest about $1 million to expand its operations, while creating new jobs with an estimated annual payroll of $3.9 million at its Watermark Drive site.

 

UPGRADING POLICE TECHNOLOGY: Columbus police officers will soon have faster access to crucial criminal information databases following an upgrade to City systems that contain that information.   Ordinance 0326-2013, sponsored by Public Safety and Judiciary Committee chair Michelle M. Mills, authorizes the Department of Technology to enter into a $325,000 contract with Asysco, Inc. for software licenses and professional services to improve the current criminal history information management system to a more modern platform. The upgraded system will support the Division of Police and their law enforcement partners in Franklin County and will allow users to access the system through web-based or mobile platforms.

 

CALMC SUPPORT:  The Columbus Area Labor-Management Committee (CALMC) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the development of high-performance organizations through joint participation of labor and management. Since its founding in 1986, CALMC has worked with many private and public sector companies and organizations and their unions to help them achieve their goals through effective training, communications, and leadership to benefit the citizens of Central Ohio. Ordinance 0471-2013, sponsored by Administration Committee Chair Hearcel F. Craig, allows the City of Columbus to spend $20,000 to continue to support CALMC’s mission and make strategic investments in projects that will ultimately create and retain jobs within the City.

 

 

 

 

-30-

 

 

JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

E-News Bulletin - News and Stories from Columbus City Schools

March 1, 2013   2013 Columbus Board of Education Front, l-r: Hanifah Kambon; Carol L. Perkins, Pres.; and Ramona Reyes. Second Row, l-r: Mike Wiles; Gary L. Baker II; W. Shawna Gibbs, Vice Pres.; and Bryan O. Steward. Click here for scheduled meeting dates, podcasts and how to contact CCS Board of Education members.   Mark Your Calendar!  KEY UPCOMING CCS DATES · March 2 & 3 – Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, Eastmoor Academy · March 2 – Read Across America Day · March 5 & 19 – Board of Education meetings · March 6  – Liberty ES Building Dedication · March 6 – National Principal Appreciation Day · March 11 – 15 – Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT), Grades 10, 11,  & 12 · March 20 – NSDP Subcommittees to meet · March 26  – Olde Orchard ES Building Dedication · March 27  – Special Needs Summer Resource Fair · March 28 – Board of Education NSDP Committee to meet · March 28 – Board of Education Audit & Accountability Committee to meet · March 28  – Early Release Day · March 29  – Spring Break Begins   For a full list of upcoming public meetings - click HERE    We want to hear from you. Please send your feedback and story ideas to: e-News@columbus.k12.oh.us Are you receiving a pass-along copy of CCS eNews? To subscribe to our FREE newsletter  Click here     or here to opt out. Previous editions of the CCS E-News Printable Version

Superintendent's Budget Message In a recent memo to all staff, Superintendent/CEO Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., shared information about the District's current budget situation. Harris says that despite the passage of two operating levies over the past ten years, CCS has nevertheless been in a position of making budget reductions nearly every year.  Unfortunately, this will again be the case as the District begins preparing our FY2014 budget. She states the District is looking at $25 million in reductions for the next fiscal year. Use this link to read Dr. Harris' message to staff. Attendance Toolbox Now Available We all know that a student's success in school is rooted in his/her consistent, daily attendance, and that students, parents, school staff, and even the community play a part in this effort.  To help everyone understand their role and responsibility in supporting Columbus City Schools' students attendance – and to provide strategies and tools to help our students attend school on a daily basis – we've created an Attendance Toolbox.  Parents, staff and members of the community are encouraged to take a few minutes to check out the Attendance Toolbox. We will continue to update the resources as new information and resources become available.  View the Attendance Toolbox here. Building Dedications Set for March The District's school construction program is one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation. With the goal of bringing all of the District's schools up to 21st Century standards, the program has attracted widespread attention at the local and national level. You can get a first-hand look at two of the newest Columbus City Schools in March at the building dedication ceremonies. The Liberty Elementary School dedication will take place at the school, 2901 Whitlow Rd., March 6, at 6:30 p.m. Olde Orchard Elementary School, 800 McNaughten Ave., will be dedicated on March 26, at 6:30 p.m. State and National Assessment Testing This Month Students in tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades will be taking the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) March 11 - 15. One part will be given each day. Students must pass each part to receive their diploma. First and second graders will be taking the TerraNova Assessments throughout the month. Actual testing dates vary by school. These tests measure high-order thinking skills as well as basic and applied skills. If a child has an important test at school, parents can help them be prepared by making sure their student gets a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast each day. Students Able to Earn College Credits While in High School Columbus City Schools final seminar on earning college credit while in high school will be offered on March 5, at Briggs HS, 2555 Briggs Rd., from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The District offers a variety of dual credit programs to help high school students earn college credits, and even their degree, while still in high school. Many of these programs are free and the credits count toward a college diploma.  Learn about the many opportunities available to help Columbus City School students gain valuable college experience and credit before graduating from high school. Students Earn Awards in Power of the Pen Competition Congratulations to the Ridgeview Middle School 7th Grade Power of the Pen(POP) Team that earned first-place honors at the recent district competition. POP is a creative writing competition that is dedicated to helping 7th and 8th grade students develop a creative writing voice that is unique and to embrace the art of creative expression through writing as a life skill.  District individual winners included Ridgeview's Sarah Shaffer, Best of Round; Laren Reesman, 4th place; Aiden Drake; 10th place; Cayla Andrick, 15th place.  Other winning Ridgeview team members were Dan Havens and Riley Hysell.  Jessie Beach placed 13th for the 8th grade team.  Ridgeview's POP coaches are Gifted Coordinators, Elaine Nowak and Ronda Budd. Indianola Alternative K-8's Emma Lou Andrews won Best of Round, and Julia Wein earned 8th place. Dominion Middle School's Arielle Swinehart placed 14th, and Reign Lester received honorable mention for Best of Round.  Qualified students will advance to the Power of the Pen regional competition to be held at New Albany Middle School, on March 16. Are you on Social Media? Be sure to follow us on Twitter (ColsCitySchools) and Like us on Facebook (ColumbusCitySchools)

Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.

E-News Bulletin - News and Stories from Columbus City Schools

March 1, 2013   2013 Columbus Board of Education Front, l-r: Hanifah Kambon; Carol L. Perkins, Pres.; and Ramona Reyes. Second Row, l-r: Mike Wiles; Gary L. Baker II; W. Shawna Gibbs, Vice Pres.; and Bryan O. Steward. Click here for scheduled meeting dates, podcasts and how to contact CCS Board of Education members.   Mark Your Calendar!  KEY UPCOMING CCS DATES · March 2 & 3 – Special Olympics Basketball Tournament, Eastmoor Academy · March 2 – Read Across America Day · March 5 & 19 – Board of Education meetings · March 6  – Liberty ES Building Dedication · March 6 – National Principal Appreciation Day · March 11 – 15 – Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT), Grades 10, 11,  & 12 · March 20 – NSDP Subcommittees to meet · March 26  – Olde Orchard ES Building Dedication · March 27  – Special Needs Summer Resource Fair · March 28 – Board of Education NSDP Committee to meet · March 28 – Board of Education Audit & Accountability Committee to meet · March 28  – Early Release Day · March 29  – Spring Break Begins   For a full list of upcoming public meetings - click HERE    We want to hear from you. Please send your feedback and story ideas to: e-News@columbus.k12.oh.us Are you receiving a pass-along copy of CCS eNews? To subscribe to our FREE newsletter  Click here     or here to opt out. Previous editions of the CCS E-News Printable Version

Superintendent's Budget Message In a recent memo to all staff, Superintendent/CEO Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., shared information about the District's current budget situation. Harris says that despite the passage of two operating levies over the past ten years, CCS has nevertheless been in a position of making budget reductions nearly every year.  Unfortunately, this will again be the case as the District begins preparing our FY2014 budget. She states the District is looking at $25 million in reductions for the next fiscal year. Use this link to read Dr. Harris' message to staff. Attendance Toolbox Now Available We all know that a student's success in school is rooted in his/her consistent, daily attendance, and that students, parents, school staff, and even the community play a part in this effort.  To help everyone understand their role and responsibility in supporting Columbus City Schools' students attendance – and to provide strategies and tools to help our students attend school on a daily basis – we've created an Attendance Toolbox.  Parents, staff and members of the community are encouraged to take a few minutes to check out the Attendance Toolbox. We will continue to update the resources as new information and resources become available.  View the Attendance Toolbox here. Building Dedications Set for March The District's school construction program is one of the largest and most successful programs in the nation. With the goal of bringing all of the District's schools up to 21st Century standards, the program has attracted widespread attention at the local and national level. You can get a first-hand look at two of the newest Columbus City Schools in March at the building dedication ceremonies. The Liberty Elementary School dedication will take place at the school, 2901 Whitlow Rd., March 6, at 6:30 p.m. Olde Orchard Elementary School, 800 McNaughten Ave., will be dedicated on March 26, at 6:30 p.m. State and National Assessment Testing This Month Students in tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades will be taking the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) March 11 - 15. One part will be given each day. Students must pass each part to receive their diploma. First and second graders will be taking the TerraNova Assessments throughout the month. Actual testing dates vary by school. These tests measure high-order thinking skills as well as basic and applied skills. If a child has an important test at school, parents can help them be prepared by making sure their student gets a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast each day. Students Able to Earn College Credits While in High School Columbus City Schools final seminar on earning college credit while in high school will be offered on March 5, at Briggs HS, 2555 Briggs Rd., from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The District offers a variety of dual credit programs to help high school students earn college credits, and even their degree, while still in high school. Many of these programs are free and the credits count toward a college diploma.  Learn about the many opportunities available to help Columbus City School students gain valuable college experience and credit before graduating from high school. Students Earn Awards in Power of the Pen Competition Congratulations to the Ridgeview Middle School 7th Grade Power of the Pen(POP) Team that earned first-place honors at the recent district competition. POP is a creative writing competition that is dedicated to helping 7th and 8th grade students develop a creative writing voice that is unique and to embrace the art of creative expression through writing as a life skill.  District individual winners included Ridgeview's Sarah Shaffer, Best of Round; Laren Reesman, 4th place; Aiden Drake; 10th place; Cayla Andrick, 15th place.  Other winning Ridgeview team members were Dan Havens and Riley Hysell.  Jessie Beach placed 13th for the 8th grade team.  Ridgeview's POP coaches are Gifted Coordinators, Elaine Nowak and Ronda Budd. Indianola Alternative K-8's Emma Lou Andrews won Best of Round, and Julia Wein earned 8th place. Dominion Middle School's Arielle Swinehart placed 14th, and Reign Lester received honorable mention for Best of Round.  Qualified students will advance to the Power of the Pen regional competition to be held at New Albany Middle School, on March 16. Are you on Social Media? Be sure to follow us on Twitter (ColsCitySchools) and Like us on Facebook (ColumbusCitySchools)

Disclaimer: This message and any attachments are for the intended recipient's use only. It may contain confidential, proprietary or legally privileged information or otherwise be protected from disclosure by other legal rules. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and destroy all copies. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose or reproduce this message, its attachment or any part thereof, or take any action in reliance thereon. Emails are not secure and cannot be guaranteed to be error free as they can be intercepted, amended, or contain viruses. Anyone who communicates with us by email is deemed to have accepted these risks.

{SPAM} Highlights

 

COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: February 11, 2013   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

 

ROBERTS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS:  Roberts Road is a major east-west connector that helps move thousands of people every day from east of I-270 past Rome-Hilliard Road on the west side of Columbus.  Ordinance 0260-2013, sponsored by Public Service and Transportation Committee chair Eileen Y. Paley, will allow the Director of Public Service to enter into a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. worth up to $450,000 for an engineering study for possible intersection improvements at Roberts and Spindler Roads.   Improvements could include the installation of a traffic signal and west bound turn lane at the intersection as well as the widening of Roberts Road near the intersection.

 

BUILDING A BETTER LAND BANK:  The Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC) is Franklin County’s effort to assist in the economic development of blighted properties.   Ordinance 0277-2013, sponsored by Development Committee chair Zach M. Klein, will allow the City of Columbus to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with COCIC to create a framework under which the Columbus Land Reutilization Program can cooperate to improve neighborhoods in the fastest possible manner.   The agreement will establish a process for the City to exercise its priority interest in tax foreclosures and other acquisitions of property.    In addition to this ordinance, Councilmember Klein is sponsoring two companion pieces, 0310-2013 and 0316-2013, that will allow the City of Columbus to properly maintain parcels in the land bank by paying for grass cutting, roof repairs, and other needed services. 

 

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY:  Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers (CNHC) provide a crucial level of care and protection for our community’s most vulnerable residents.   Health and Human Services Committee chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring ordinance 0124-2013 to allow Columbus Public Health to enter into a $4,529,260 contract with CNHC to offer primary care services to patients at CNHC’s six area facilities.

 

FIGHTING ANIMAL CURELTY:  The mission of the Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) is to fight cruelty and neglect of animals while providing shelter services to the community.   Ordinance 0232-2013, sponsored by Public Safety and Judiciary Committee chair Michelle M. Mills, authorizes the Director of the Department of Public Safety to enter into a contract with the CAHS so that the organization can investigate allegations of animal cruelty in the City of Columbus.  Consistent with the city’s public safety efforts, CAHS shall notify the appropriate legal authorities of confirmed animal abuse and neglect and suspected abuse toward humans.

  

 

-30-

 

 

 

 

JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov

    

 

    

 

City Council Highlights February 4, 2013

			COLUMBUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS   For Immediate Release: February 4, 2013   For More Information: John Ivanic, (614) 645-6798 Web – Facebook – Twitter

 

2013 BUDGET:  Columbus City Councilmembers will tonight consider final passage of the 2013 General Fund Budget.   Finance Committee Chair Priscilla R. Tyson is sponsoring a series of ordinances, 2630-2012, 2631-2012, 2633-2012, and 2644-2012, that Councilmembers will vote on in order to approve the budget.   Amendments made to Mayor Coleman’s proposed budget reflect City Council’s priority of strengthening Columbus neighborhoods through economic development and job creation.   Council President Ginther and Councilmember Tyson announced last month that Councilmembers have agreed to set aside $3 million of the $7.5 million carryover from 2012 for Columbus’ Economic Stabilization Fund, or rainy day fund.

 

REC CENTER IMPROVEMENTS:  The Blackburn Recreation Center provides a wide range of activities for children and adults.   Serving the Near East Side, Blackburn is in line for upgrades to the facility that include work on the electrical system, HVAC, plumbing, floors and other work to ensure that the building serves the community for many years to come. Recreation and Parks Committee chair Zach M. Klein is sponsoring ordinance 0145-2013 to approve an $853,000 contract with Builderscape, Inc. to perform the work.  

 

PROTECTING THE WATER SUPPLY:  The Dublin Road Water Plant processes some 80 million gallons of water a day, providing safe, clean drinking water to many Columbus residents and businesses. The plant has not seen a significant renovation in 30 years.  Ordinance 0052-2013, sponsored by Public Utilities Committee chair Eileen Y. Paley, allows for the City to enter into a $22,001,320 contract with Kokosing Construction Company for the construction of a new electrical substation, sludge pump station, and other modifications to the Dublin Road facility.   The project will improve the reliability and capacity of the plant.

 

FIGHTING BAD CHECKS:  When someone passes a bad check, it does not just affect the business involved in the transaction, but all consumers who end up paying more for products to offset the loss for the merchant.   Ordinance 0136x-2013, sponsored by Public Safety and Judiciary Committee chair Michelle M. Mills, authorizes the appropriation of $40,000 from the Bad Checks Fund to pay for this program in 2013.   The Bad Checks Program is designed to reduce the number of bad check cases that backlog the court and to help local merchants recover the money they are owed.  Staff works directly with the merchant and the check writer to resolve the matter and therefore keep the case out of the court system.   In 2012 approximately 17,465 criminal complaints were diverted from the court system and approximately $364,571 was recovered for the merchants.  The Bad Checks Diversion Program is funded from collected fees.

 

 

-30-

 

 

JOHN IVANIC

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

_____________________________________________________

 

 

 

 

90 W. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Direct: 614-645-6798

Cell:     614-701-1411

www.columbus.gov