News

Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce was scheduled months in advance to be the featured speaker for the Columbus VA’s MLK 2025 Annual Lunch. He was invited to share his personal journey to leadership while honoring Dr. King’s legacy. This year’s theme, " Triumph Through Adversity," deeply resonated with Commissioner Boyce, who had been eager to share his story of overcoming personal challenges and adversity.

Today, the Franklin County Commissioners launched the opening of One Door, a transformative initiative designed to streamline access to essential Health and Human Service resources. The program was unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Michael J. Dorrian Building, where the One Door office is now open to serve residents on the first floor of the county government complex.

As we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners honor the life and legacy of a man who dedicated his life to advancing civil rights, justice, and equality for all. Dr. King’s vision of a more inclusive society continues to inspire and challenge us to build communities where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

At their first meeting of the year, the Franklin County Commissioners selected Commissioner Erica C. Crawley to serve as president of the Board for 2025. Commissioner Crawley, the first African American woman to be elected to the board and to hold the title of board president, has been a trailblazer in county leadership. She initially joined the Board in July 2021, appointed to complete a vacated term. She then served as board president in 2022 and was later elected to a four-year term.

This afternoon, the Franklin County Commissioners approved the 2025 budget, which exceeds $2.2 billion, underscoring their commitment to ensuring that residents not only survive but thrive. This budget goes beyond the numbers—it illustrates how the county is strategically investing resources to meet the needs of its residents and strengthen the community. As the administrative arm of local government, the commissioners oversee 15 county agencies and establish the budget for all county offices, elected officials, and agencies. County Administrator Kenneth N. Wilson presented the proposed 2025 budget during the first hearing on November 14th.
 

Franklin County and the City of Columbus, in partnership with local government officials, are launching the Tap in Center, a new initiative designed to assist residents with outstanding low-level, non-violent misdemeanor warrants. This collaborative effort aims to enhance public safety and promote smart justice practices that prevent unnecessary involvement in the criminal justice system. The Tap in Center provides a restorative environment for individuals with warrants, often due to missed court appearances or unpaid fines and is positioned to help address the more than 55,000 outstanding misdemeanor warrants in the Franklin County Municipal Court. By facilitating the recall and rescheduling of cases, the Center helps individuals resolve their legal issues without the need for arrest, offering an affordable and effective alternative to traditional court processes.

 

The commissioners extend their heartfelt gratitude to the over 20 million living veterans across our country, including the thousands who proudly call our community home. On behalf of Franklin County residents, we recognize and honor the unwavering service and sacrifice of veterans, as well as the resilience shown by their families and friends. Through their dedication, veterans have not only preserved and cultivated our country’s highest principles but have made America a beacon of freedom, independence, and liberty worldwide.

All county offices are closed today in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.

On this Labor Day, The Franklin County commissioners pay tribute to the dedication and hard work of the American workforce and the men and women of the labor movement.   Today, we honor their resilience, skill, and accomplishments, and continue to strive for fair wages, safe working conditions, and equal opportunities for all.  
 
All county offices are closed today in observance of the holiday.
 

Under the leadership of the Board of Commissioners Franklin County has received four prestigious awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its innovative programming during their annual conference this past weekend.  The first three highlight the effective work being done in local health and human services programing. Each year, NACo presents Achievement Awards to highlight exceptional programs across 18 categories, reflecting the diverse and comprehensive services provided by counties nationwide. The awards given to Job and Family Services, Office on Aging, and Justice Policy and Programs agencies underscore the hard work of each agency to strengthen services for Franklin County residents.
 

The Franklin County Commissioners announced this morning that they are awarding $3,740,145 in grants to community partner organizations that will promote equity for all Franklin County residents. The twenty-two grant recipients were selected for their initiatives aimed at reducing disparities and addressing the needs of historically underserved populations.