News

Juneteenth celebrates the abolition of slavery in America, and the recognition that African Americans are entitled to equal rights in this country they helped to build.  Last year, the commissioners were proud to add it as a holiday for their employees (replacing Columbus Day) to recognize the struggle that so many have endured and are still enduring in order to realize the dream of a more perfect and equitable union.

This week, the commissioners have begun a $55,472 partnership with L.E.A.D. With Purpose to help send 25 young women of color to summer camp. 

This week, the commissioners are making grants to two agencies and three separate programs to address digital inequity among vulnerable seniors in our community.  The $80,585 in funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, and the partner agencies are Central Community House and Community Refugee and Immigrant Services.
 

With a $680,000 grant this week, the commissioners are investing in the Alvis Halfway House at 1755 Alum Creek Drive in order to allow Alvis to expand its facility to serve an additional 70 clients at a time.  The expansion will allow Alvis to serve up to 325 individuals at one time, including with behavioral health services, workforce development, case management, healthcare, and a gym. 
 

Public Technology Institute (PTI) recently announced that Franklin County and the Franklin County Data Center (FCDC) were awarded with Significant Achievement in web services, e-government, and mobile applications. The award salutes the county’s innovations with Microsoft Dynamics 365 to create tailored, data-driven assistance for boys and young men of color.

The Franklin County Commissioners are proud of the annual Columbus Pride Festival and our community's collective work to establish Central Ohio as a smart, open, diverse, welcoming, and inclusive place to live.  We look forward to celebrating in person again at the 2022 Pride Parade and Festival, and in the meantime encourage our residents to visit stonewallcolumbus.org to learn how to virtually celebrate Pride 2021—From a Moment to a Movement this year. 

The Franklin County Commissioners today approved additional funding for the county engineer to expedite important repairs and improvements to infrastructure around the county.  Specifically, the funding, which comes from the county’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan, will support the engineer’s Stormwater Management Program, which utilizes and maintains vital underground infrastructure.
 

On this Memorial Day, the Franklin County Commissioners honor the sacrifice of all those who have died in service to our nation.  Central Ohio has a long and proud tradition of military service that is exemplified by countless families throughout our community who have put our country’s needs ahead of their own.  Some of the names of the local sons and daughters who have fought and died in our nation’s service can be found enshrined at a display in their honor at Franklin County Memorial Hall at 280 W. Broad St. in Columbus and open to the public during normal county business hours.
 
All county offices are closed today in observance of the holiday.
 

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners met today for the purpose of filling the vacancy left by the retirement last week of Commissioner Marilyn Brown.  Ohio law provides for the remaining two commissioners to appoint a replacement to serve until the outgoing commissioner’s political party names a permanent replacement to fill out the rest of the term.  At this afternoon’s meeting, the commissioners considered a resolution which Commissioner O’Grady amended in order to nominate Dawn Tyler Lee to serve in this interim capacity. After some deliberation, the two commissioners voted to appoint her to the seat.  Following the vote, Ms. Tyler Lee was sworn in at the county courthouse by Judge Kimberly Cocroft.  She is the first African-American woman county commissioner in Franklin County.


 

 

The Franklin County Commissioners have hired a new Chief Economic Equity and Inclusion Officer to help promote equitable and inclusive policies both inside and outside the commissioners’ office.  They’ve also filled an open position leading the county’s Office of Justice Policies and Programs, which advocates for smart justice solutions, works with young people involved in the justice system, and assists residents who are returning to the community from incarceration.