This morning, at their last General Session meeting of the year, the Franklin County Commissioners approved the county’s more-than $2 billion annual budget for 2023. As the administrative division of county government, the commissioners directly oversee 14 county agencies and set the budget for all of county government, including agencies that report to other elected officials. They held three days of
budget hearings in November at which agencies presented highlights from 2022 and their budget requests for next year.
“There is a saying in government, ‘show me your budget, and I’ll tell you your priorities’,” said Board of Commissioners President, Erica C. Crawley. “Our annual budget is the best possible example of the board’s values to support and reflect our community’s priorities. Everything we do as county commissioners is centered around helping and ensuring all of our neighbors in Franklin County have the same opportunities to thrive, not just survive.”
The 2023 budget includes continued funding for the commissioners’ historic
RISE childcare initiative that provides $23 million to make high-quality child care available to more Franklin County families, and to strengthen the commissioners’ ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. This year’s budget fully funds a new 24/7 Rapid Resource Center at the county’s
new jail to provide support, resources, and referrals to residents exiting custody in order to help them succeed and avoid further contact with the criminal justice system, and it includes increased funding for Franklin County Public Health, Children Services, ADAMH, the Office on Aging, the Board of Developmental Disabilities, and the Veterans Service Commission.
“We’re pleased to be able to say that the county is in a strong financial position again this year because of smart planning in years past,” said Commissioner John O’Grady. “We pride ourselves long-term planning and responsible budgeting so that we’re able to weather tough times and support our residents when they need it most.”
The 2023 budget includes General Fund expenditures of nearly $600 million and All-Funds expenditures of more than $2 billion. General Fund revenue comes mostly from sales tax and mostly funds local justice and public safety agencies, including the sheriff’s office, jail, and court system. The All-Funds budget includes state and federal passthroughs, and largely funds social and human services, economic development, and additional public safety initiatives. The budget also includes nearly $82 million in the county’s “rainy day” fund and approximately five months’ worth of General Fund cash reserves.
“This year’s budget includes not only the basic funding that county government needs to provide the services upon which our residents rely, but increases to help ensure that all Franklin County families are able to share in the success that our community enjoys,” said Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce. “Budgeting is among the commissioners’ most important responsibilities and the way in which we can best support our residents throughout the year.”
In 2022, the commissioners made historic investments in workforce development programs and nutritional support via the Mid-Ohio Food Collective as well as providing millions in grants to small businesses and local non-profit agencies. They funded an unprecedented number of affordable housing units and strengthened the county’s public health infrastructure. With more than 1.3 million residents Franklin County is the 31
st-largest of the nation’s 3,069 counties, and one of only 2% to maintain a double Triple-A bond rating. For more information about the county’s budget, visit
Budget.FranklinCountyOhio.gov.