In conjunction with National County Government month, the Franklin County Commissioners this morning released their annual State of the County report. The report, available at the commissioners’ website, commissioners.franklincountyohio.gov, is a compendium of the many ways that the lives of Franklin County residents are touched by county government on a regular basis, as well as of the investments the commissioners have made in public safety, economic development, and environmental protection. This 2nd annual State of the County also serves as a field guide to county government and its role in improving the quality of life for all residents.
“The commissioners’ 14 agencies, from Animal Care and Control to Sanitary Engineering, are dedicated to providing the best possible service to our residents,” said Board of Commissioners President, John O’Grady. “We’re also committed to meeting the needs of our growing population, and to ensuring that our region’s success is shared by all of its residents.”
The report details that Franklin County is once again among only about 2% of counties nationwide with a Double-AAA bond rating, and among only 7% of counties that have recovered from the Great Recession.
“I am proud that Franklin County has been consistently fiscally secure with a Double-AAA bond rating throughout my tenure,” said Commissioner Paula Brooks. “We have more work to do in resolving poverty, providing affordable housing, and ensuring that all families have a chance to achieve the American dream. Our record on environmental sustainability and resilience is outstanding and must be continuously pursued due to climate challenges. Likewise, factors like the development of “fintech” demand that economic development be rigorously pursued with an eye towards staying ahead of the future curve on the jobs front.”
In the past decade, Franklin County’s population has grown by more than 15%, and the Central Ohio region’s population just surpassed 2 million people.
“The state of the county is strong,” said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “We’re proud to be the fastest growing large county in Ohio, but many families in our community continue to struggle. It’s very important that we balance our core principles of good government so that we’re supporting ways for all of our residents to succeed. I think this report shows that we are doing that but that there is work still to be done.”
To see the report, visit the commissioners’ website or
http://report.franklincountyohio.gov/.