Ordinance 75-21
To: Members of Dublin City Council
From: Dana McDaniel, City Manager
Date: November 2, 2021
Initiated By: Matthew L. Stiffler, Director of Finance
Jerry O’Brien, Chief Accountant
Re: Ordinance 75-21 – An Ordinance Authorizing the Rescinding of the Merchandising
Fund and Transferring the Fund Balance to the General Fund
Background
Ordinance 11-93 established the Merchandising Fund in accordance with Ohio Revised Code
5705.12. This fund was established for the purpose of accounting for monies derived from the
sale of merchandise related to the merchandising program. The fund was created as an enterprise
fund since the intent of the merchandising program was that it be self-supporting. The revenue
from the sale of merchandise was used to replenish the merchandise inventory.
The merchandising program was used to further the goals of the marketing component of the
comprehensive economic development program. However, merchandise sales is no longer being
used as part of the economic development marketing strategy resulting in a shift in City priorities
away from this activity. There are no plans to resume this activity.
City resources that were once used to support merchandise sales have been refocused to other
areas. Furthermore, City of Dublin oriented merchandise can be purchased through other
organizations and online. For example, Visit Dublin advertises the sale of Dublin merchandise on
their website. Due to these changes, there has been a lack of demand for purchases of
merchandise from the City for several years resulting in a total lack of activity in the Merchandising
Fund. The last year of activity was 2017 in which $186.56 was collected on sales of merchandise.
The Merchandising Fund is no longer being used since its only legal purpose is to account for
money from the sale of merchandise. A balance of $34,037.99 remains in the fund and can only
be used for the purchase of merchandise to be sold as long as it remains in the Merchandising
Fund. However, if the Fund is rescinded, the balance may be transferred to the General Fund
where it can be used for purposes consistent with expenditures made from the General Fund.
Section 5705.14(D) of the Ohio Revised Code states that:
The unexpended balance in any special fund, other than an improvement fund, existing in
accordance with division (D), (F), or (G) of section 5705.09, or section 5705.12 of the
Revised Code, may be transferred to the general fund or to the sinking fund or bond
retirement fund after the termination of the activity, service, or other undertaking for which
such special fund existed, but only after the payment of all obligations incurred and payable
from such special fund.
Office of the City Manager
5555 Perimeter Drive • Dublin, OH 43017-1090
Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490 Memo
Memo re. An Ordinance authorizing the rescinding of the Merchandising Fund and transferring the fund
balance to the General Fund
November 2, 2021
Page 2 of 2
All obligations related to the Merchandising Fund operations have been paid and there has not
been any activity in the fund since 2017. Therefore, the Merchandising Fund can be rescinded and
the balance in the fund transferred to the General Fund to be utilized for other purposes.
Recommendation
Staff recommends passage of Ordinance 75-21 at the second reading/public hearing on November
15, 2021.