The Franklin County Board of Commissioners held its General Session on January 6, 2026, launching the new year with leadership selections and key county decisions.

The Board elected Commissioner John O’Grady as President for the 2026 term and heard his remarks outlining key priorities, including fiscal responsibility, affordable housing, workforce development, and community partnerships.

The session also included approval of resolutions related to inmate medical services, animal care, opioid harm reduction evaluation, cybersecurity authority, employee salary adjustments, and long-term support for Nationwide Arena renovations. Additional administrative actions included board appointments, annexation filings, and notice of a critical website accessibility upgrade to meet federal compliance deadlines.

Watch the full meeting on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE0F0e5vQ7M

Find the agenda here: https://www.franklincountyohio.gov/fi...

Welcome to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners general session.

Happy new year, everyone.

As a reminder to those in the audience, this is a public meeting and being recorded.

If you could mute your devices.

And we will start with the pledge of allegiance led by commissioner Boyce.

Of the United States of America and.

To the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

First on the agenda, we have the board of Commissioners.

Resolution number 126.

Am I Commissioner?

A.

Okay.

Second moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Boyce.

No.

I mean, yes.

Commissioner Crawley.

Yes.

Commissioner O'.

Grady.

Yes.

Resolution number 126 has been adopted.

Congratulation.

Pretty sure everybody knew that was coming.

It was a battle.

All right.

If you would like to switch seats, we should get, like a.

Ceremonial gavel or something.

We should.

Thank you.

Oh, man.

Can we actually.

Can we literally change chairs because this one is low.

Yeah, this one here.

We got to switch chairs.

I feel like I'm in the.

In the heavens.

Up in the heavens.

I feel like I'm sitting in my kids chair.

All right, well, thank you.

A couple quick remarks, if you don't mind.

I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to continue this work.

I think most of you, Anybody who knows, knows that this is largely a ceremonial role.

And in some regards, you know, over the years, I've kind of considered it to be a little bit of an annoyance, but at the same time, it's important.

So thank you for the confidence.

Franklin county continues to grow and evolve and get larger and.

And become more important in many ways on many stages.

But with that growth comes great responsibility.

And this is a moment where thoughtful leadership from the three of us and sound decision making from the three of us really matters.

My focus this year is going to.

And our focus this year is going to continue to be on making fiscally responsible decisions, especially during these challenging economic times that are in front of us, with really difficult partnerships from both the State House and our friends in Washington.

So I look forward to the partnerships that we have and expanding some of those partnerships that we have with our.

With those partners that we do have and working on affordable housing and strengthening our workforce and then supporting the small businesses and entrepreneurs who we drive, who help to drive our local economy.

Economic development and workforce development remain closely connected with the work that we do here.

And we're going to continue to work through the office, our Office of Economic Development and our Office of Economic Engagement and Community Development to support the local entrepreneurs and help connect people with opportunities.

Equally important is how we work together by partnering closely with our community organizations, our municipalities and our county agencies to make sure that critical resources are used wisely and we reach the residents where they can make the greatest impact.

So I'm also grateful for the chance to represent Franklin county nationally and on a statewide level through the national association of Counties and through the County Commissioners association of Ohio.

Bringing ideas back home.

We all do that.

All three of us are involved, especially with naco, to bring ideas back home and ensuring our voice is part of important federal policy conversations that go on.

I think all three of us equally would agree that collaborating with our colleagues across the country and across the state is very, very beneficial to Franklin County.

And what we can then share of Franklin county with our colleagues across the state not only continues to put Franklin county on a state and national stage, but really, really benefits the residents of Franklin County.

So thank you to all of you for all the work that you guys do on a regular basis, day in and day out for the residents of Franklin County.

Thank you to county administration for the work that you guys do to helping us lead this great team, and thank you to my two colleagues for the work.

Commissioner, Commissioner Crowley says it all the time how honored she is to be able to work with Commissioner Boyce and I.

But, you know, she's not wrong.

This is a phenomenal team.

The administration's a great, phenomenal group of people, phenomenal men and women that we have in our administration to go along with the folks that are a part of Team Franklin County.

But these two people that I get to work with day in and day out are also great, great colleagues to work with.

And I appreciate the support that they give me and then in turn, that we're able.

I'm able to then give back to them.

So thank you.

I think I left my agenda over there.

Thank you.

We then have a very short agenda for the day.

I guess I should have said at the beginning that we are.

This is a recorded session, a live, public, recorded session.

So please remember to keep your phones muted.

So moved.

Second, moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Boyce?

Yes.

Commissioner Crawley?

Yes.

Commissioner o'?

Grady?

Yes.

Thank you.

The minutes have been approved and first.

We'Ll go to the Sheriff's Department.

Resolution number 926.

Resolution authorizing a contract with Armor Health of Ohio, LLC for for complete health services and an EHR system in the amount of $95,436,164.

Good morning, commissioners and County Administration.

Hope everybody had a happy holidays.

My name is Albert Smith and I'm the Assistant Finance Director for the Sheriff's Office.

I also have with me Casey Russo as our Assistant Risk Manager for the Sheriff's office, and she's here to help answer any questions that you might have about this resolution.

Commissioners, this resolution authorizes a contract with Armor Health of Ohio for continued inmate medical services within our correctional centers.

Pinning any questions, I ask for your approval of this resolution.

If there are no comments or questions, move for approval.

Resolution 926 second.

Moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Crawley?

Yes.

Commissioner O'?

Grady?

Yes.

Commissioner Boyce abstained.

Resolution number 926 has been adopted with Commissioner Boyce's noted abstention.

Thank you, Commissioners.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Animal Care control resolution number 226.

Good morning, commissioners and County Administration.

My name is April Ricardo, Assistant Director for Franklin County Animal Care and Control.

I'd like to request your approval of this resolution authorizing the contract with Veterinary Emergency Group to provide after hours and emergency medical care for our shelter animals to ensure timely treatment and minimized suffering.

This resolution authorizes a one year contract with four optional one year renewal periods.

These services are necessary to ensure uninterrupted access to emergency veterinary care for animals housed at the shelter during after hours, on call and on county holidays.

Pending any questions, I respectfully request your approval of this resolution.

Commissioner o', Grady, if I could.

Joy Bivens, Deputy County Administrator of Health and Human Services.

Thank you so much for this April.

Just really quick for.

For those.

These are for in house Med Medical Services is correct.

Can we make sure for those who have adopted, we put on our website what supportive services, whether it be medical or any food or whatever we do for our our dogs and shelter that we put it on our social media.

I was able to visit some of the dogs that were adopted.

Okay.

Over the holiday and some of the residents seem a bit confused on what we continue to offer post adoption.

Of course.

Okay.

Yes.

Okay.

If there are no further comments or questions.

Second moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Boyce.

Yes.

Commissioner Crawley?

Yes.

Commissioner O'?

Grady?

Yes.

Resolution number 226 has been adopted.

Thank you.

Justice Policy and programs.

Good morning, commissioners County Administration.

I'm Ernest Stockton.

I am the director of Franklin County Office of Justice Policy and Programs.

A no cost one year grant extension was approved by the Bureau of Justice Services authorizing program activities to continue through September 26th.

Mighty Crow Media has significant work experience in the addiction field and was selected to serve as the evaluator for this initiative.

This resolution seeks approval of an additional one year contract in the amount of $20,000 for evaluation services, including the completion of a final report highlighting program successes, lessons learned and considerations for future program delivery.

Pending any questions, I would ask for your approval if there are no comments or questions.

Move for adoption of 3 26.

Second moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Boyce.

Yes.

Commissioner Crawley?

Yes.

Commissioner O'?

Grady?

Yes.

Resolution number 326 has been adopted.

Thank you.

Thank you, Board of commissioners.

Resolution number 4 26.

Resolution authorizing the County Administrator to approve and execute cybersecurity agreements and documents related to cyber incidents and protections.

Good morning, Commissioners.

Jeanine Hummer on behalf of Shayla Favor, Prosecuting Attorney.

If you recall, last year in December you approved a cyber security plan and.

At that time I mentioned to you.

As part of a statutory requirement, that plan was required, but also that contracts.

Related to cybersecurity were no longer a public record.

In order to meet that statutory requirement and maintain security regarding these cyber agreements, we are requesting that this resolution be.

Approved that authorizes the County Administrator to.

Execute these agreements that are related to.

Cybersecurity pending any questions.

I'd ask for your approval if there.

Are no comments or questions.

Move for adoption of 4 26.

Second moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Boyce.

Yes.

Commissioner Crawley?

Yes.

Commissioner O'?

Grady?

Yes.

Resolution number 426 has been adopted.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Resolution number 5 26, resolution authorizing a consulting services contract with Franklin Hirsch to support the County Hospital Commission of Franklin County, Ohio.

Good morning.

Commissioner Zach Tularek with the Office of Management and Budget.

The contract is in the amount of $16,000, which is the same amount as last year's contract pending.

Any questions would ask your approval of this resolution?

I do have a question.

So on this, why don't they pay for the consulting services out of their transactions?

Commissioner, the transaction fees actually come to the county and are deposited in the general fund.

Oh, so they just go back?

Okay.

Thank you so much.

If there are no further comments or questions.

Move for adoption of 5 26.

Second moved and seconded.

Voting Commissioner Boyce.

Yes.

Commissioner Crawley?

Yes.

Commissioner O'?

Grady?

Yes.

Resolution number 526 has been adopted.

Resolution number 6 26, resolution authorizing an agreement with the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and the City of Columbus, Ohio, related to the renovation and modernization of Nationwide Arena.

Commissioners.

Pursuant to resolution number 938 11, the county and the city jointly lease Nationwide arena from the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and each makes an annual rent payment equal to a defined percentage of casino tax revenues received from the state to support operations, capital improvements and debt service obligations at Nationwide Arena.

The allocation of additional casino tax revenue is contingent on receipt of funds from the state and the issuance of the bonds for the improvements at the arena so that the county funds can be the last dollar in.

Ken Paul, executive director of the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, is here if you have any questions.

If not, I would ask for your approval of this resolution.

There are no comments or questions.

I move approval resolution 6 26.

Second moved and seconded voting Commissioner Crawley yes.

Commissioner O' Grady yes.

Commissioner Boyce abstained.

Resolution number 626 has been adopted with Commissioner Boyce's noted abstention.

Resolution number 726 resolution authorizing appropriation adjustments for providing salary and wage increases to non bargaining employees.

The resolution also authorizes supplemental appropriations for various non general fund agencies as well.

Pending any questions, would ask for your approval of this resolution.

If there are no comments or questions.

Move for adoption of 7 26.

Second moved and seconded Voting Commissioner Boyce yes.

Commissioner Crawley Yes.

Commissioner O' Grady Yes.

Resolution number 726 has been adopted.

Good morning, Commissioners, County Administration.

Michael Rohman, Assistant Director of Community Appointments.

This resolution seeks to appoint Commissioner John o', Grady, along with designees or alternates for the Franklin County Board of Revision and Franklin County Microfilming Board in their official capacities.

For the Revision Board of Revision, Chris Long, Deputy County Administrator Jamie Wellert, Dax Mendenhall, Annie Risnar and Claire Bennett.

For the Franklin County Microfilming Board, Brittany Raczik, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners Melissa Kohler, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners and Michael Roerman, Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners.

Pending any questions, we respectfully ask for your approval.

If there are no comments or questions, move for passage of or adoption of 8 26.

Second.

Moved and seconded Voting Commissioner Boyce yes.

Commissioner crawley yes.

Commissioner O', Grady Yes.

Resolution number 826 has been adopted.

Thank you.

The petition is requesting to annex 5.505 acres from Jackson Township to the City of Grove City.

The petition is requesting to annex 46.8 acres more or less per survey from Hamilton Township to the City of Columbus.

The petition is requesting to annex 15.3 acres per survey from Jackson Township to the City of Grove City.

The petition is requesting to annex 15.4 acres per survey from Jefferson Township to the City of Columbus.

25 Lien Release Agreements the Clerk's Office has been tracking each of the signed agreements by the County Administrator under this authority as required by this resolution.

This list will be provided to you and captured in today's meeting minutes.

Madam Clerk Kenneth Wilson, County Administrator Additionally, Commissioners Memo has been provided to your offices by Budget Director Zach Tularek, required to under Resolution893.25 to report in any agreements that are signed pursuant to that resolution.

Failure to meet this guideline may expose the county to liability because the vendor required the agreement to be signed by the end of the year in order to meet the compliance deadline.

This contract with Granticus has been the only agreement approved under authority granted by this board under resolution 893 to 25.

Thank you.

There's no other business.

This concludes our meeting.

Thank you.

Happy New Year, everybody.

Sam.