Columbus, Georgia

AN ORDINANCE



AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY?S CRIME VICTIM WITNESS PROGRAM FY03

BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $240,968 FROM $331,429 TO $572,397 AND AMENDING THE

STATE COURT SOLICITOR?S FY03 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $103,272 FROM $789,648 TO

$892,920; ESTABLISHING A PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF CRIME VICTIM WITNESS

SURCHARGE FUNDS; AND OTHER PURPOSES.



WHEREAS, O.C.G.A ? 15-21-132 (a) (1) states that if a county operates

or participates in a victim witness program approved by the Criminal Justice

Coordinating Council, then the 5% surcharge moneys shall be paid over to that

victim assistance program, and;



WHEREAS, the District Attorney?s Office operates an approved victim witness

program, and;



WHEREAS, the State Court Solicitor?s Office operates an approved victim

witness program, and;



WHEREAS, based on established percentages, the reserved fund balance

will be appropriated to the District Attorney?s and State Court Solicitor

budgets, and;



WHEREAS, the Crime Victim Witness Surcharge has a reserved fund balance of

$344,240, and;



WHEREAS, each fiscal year, each of the programs will receive their

operating funds and the remaining projected revenue will be distributed based

upon the established percentage of distribution of funds, and;



WHEREAS, any remaining program funds at the end of the fiscal year,

will be appropriated to the next fiscal year, and;



WHEREAS, in any fiscal year where a shortfall of 5% crime victim

witness surcharge revenue is projected, the budgets of the programs will be

adjusted to eliminate the shortfall of revenue, and;



WHEREAS, use of 5% surcharge funds may be used for all eligible victim

witness program activities at the discretion of the District Attorney and State

Court Solicitor, and;



WHEREAS, the programs will follow all City?s established procurement

procedures, and;



WHEREAS, the two programs will attempt to consolidate into one program

in FY05.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY ORDAINS:



SECTION 1.



1. That the established percentage distribution of the crime victim witness

surcharge for the District Attorney?s Crime Victim Witness Program shall be

70%.



2. That the established percentage distribution of the crime victim witness

surcharge for the State Court Solicitor?s Crime Victim Witness Program shall be

30%.



3. That any remaining program funds at the end of the fiscal year will be

appropriated to the next fiscal year.



4. That in any fiscal year where a short fall of 5% crime victim witness

surcharge revenue is projected, the budgets of the programs shall be adjusted

to eliminate the shortfall of revenue.



5. That the FY03 District Attorney?s Crime Victim Witness Program budget is

increased in the amount of $240,968 for a total revised budget of $572,397.



6. That the FY03 State Court Solicitor?s budget is increased in the amount of

$103,272 for a total revised budget of $892,920.



7. That the two programs will attempt to consolidate into one program in

FY05.



SECTION 2.



All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance

are hereby repealed.

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Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the

______ day of ______________ 2003, and adopted at said meeting by the

affirmative vote of _____ members of said Council.



Councilor Allen voting _______________

Councilor Anthony _______________

Councilor Davis _______________

Councilor Henderson voting _______________

Councilor Hunter voting _______________

Councilor McDaniel voting _______________

Councilor Rodgers voting _______________

Councilor Suber voting _______________

Councilor Turner Pugh voting _______________

Councilor Woodson voting _______________



_______________________________ ___________________________

Tiny Washington, Clerk of Council Robert S. Poydasheff, Mayor