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Council Members Grim, Hobbs, Komives and Gadus
Title
Amending the framework for the Toledo Recovery Plan, authorizing the appropriation and expenditure of $800,000 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD); authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD); and declaring an emergency.
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SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD) is a 501(c)(3) national charity that acquires and abolishes medical debt for people burdened by financial hardship.
The City is the recipient of $180.9 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to be used to address the public health and negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Toledo Recovery Plan framework (authorized by Ordinance 530-21) should be amended to include an allocation of $800,000 to relieve medical debt for Toledoans. This ordinance amends the framework and allows for the appropriation and expenditure of $800,000 for RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD).
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the framework for the Toledo Recovery Plan, Ordinance 530-21, is hereby amended to include an allocation of $800,000 for RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD).
SECTION 2. That the appropriation of $800,000 is authorized from the unappropriated balance of the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund to Account Code 2021-14100-6MEDICALDTRRP for RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD) and further authorizing the expenditure of same.
SECTION 3. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with RIP Medical Debt (RIPMD) for their program upon terms and conditions consistent with American Rescue Plan Act regulations and otherwise acceptable to the Director of Law.
SECTION 4. That the Director of Finance is authorized to draw warrant or warrants against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $800,000 in payment of the above-authorized obligations upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 5. That this Ordinance, being an emergency measure, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that the Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective in order to abolish medical debt for Toledoans that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: November 9, 2022 as an emergency measure: yeas 7, nays 5.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: November 14, 2022
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor