Franklin County Board Approves $100,000 Boost for Mental Health Court Housing

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $100,000 funding increase for the county’s RISE mental health court docket, expanding housing services for participants, and unanimously dismissed a controversial drainage improvement petition after the county engineer determined the $1.6 million cost far outweighed the benefits.

The board’s regular session began with a presentation from Franklin County Prosecutor Shaila Favour, who released her office’s first annual report. Favour said the document reflects a commitment to transparency and highlights work beyond criminal prosecutions, including victim support, consumer protection and civil actions.

“Many residents only knew our office through criminal prosecutions, but our work extends far beyond the courtroom,” Favour told commissioners.

The board also adopted a resolution recognizing World Refugee Day, observed annually June 20. Nadia Cosvin, chief of the Franklin County Welcome and Advisory Council, described arriving in the United States as a refugee from Ukraine 32 years ago and said refugees across the county are business owners, health care professionals and community leaders.

Commissioners then recognized spring sports state champions from multiple high schools in track and field, lacrosse, baseball and softball.

The consent agenda included approval of a $26,200 contract with Copia Leadership for leadership training for Common Pleas Court staff focusing on conflict dynamics. Resolution 395-26 increased funding for the RISE mental health court docket from $175,000 to $275,000 to expand housing services. The vote was unanimous.

Other approved items included a $35,100 contract with MAPSIS to update the Probate Court’s online case search for ADA compliance by April 2027; a $150,000 extension of a contract with the Legal Aid Society for guardianship cases, bringing the total to $220,000 through June 2028; and a $463,192.70 contract with Access Civil Construction LLC for the 2026 General Bridge Maintenance Program.

Commissioners also approved a $203,604 agreement with Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for on-site athletic training services for sheriff’s office employees through May 2028. Commissioner Boyce abstained.

The board approved $75,750 for 25 refurbished DS-200 ballot scanners for poll worker training and a $975,000 supplemental appropriation for election administration expenses, including poll worker compensation and costs for a special election in Whitehall.

A $67,530 grant to the New American Heritage Sports League for the 2026 Ohio Somali Week Spring Cup youth sports event was approved unanimously.

The board held a final public hearing on the ODOT Agribright Ditch improvement petition. County Engineer’s office staff recommended dismissal, citing the $1.6 million cost, 100% opposition from property owners and improvements already made. Attorney Nicholas Vesha, representing three affected landowners, asked commissioners to adopt the dismissal recommendation. The board voted unanimously to dismiss the petition.

Two annexation petitions were introduced: ANX 14-26, covering 279.5 acres from Brown and Norwich townships to Columbus, and ANX 16-26, covering 146.9 acres from Washington Township to Dublin. Public hearings are set for June 23.

Commissioners also announced a public hearing on the 2027 Franklin County Tax Budget for June 30 at 9 a.m.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote to enter executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation.

Key moments

Significant Part 1 · 1:45

Prosecutor's First Annual Report Presentation

This report reflects my commitment to transparency, accountability and ensuring that Franklin County residents understand how my office serves them every single day.

Public interest Part 1 · 4:54

World Refugee Day Recognition and Personal Story

32 years ago, I arrived in the United States as a refugee from Ukraine.

Significant Part 1 · 10:05

Commissioner Boyce Encourages Annual Forums for Immigrant Community

I just want to encourage that again, encourage to continue the annual reports.

Significant Part 1 · 1:48:30

ODOT Agribright Ditch Petition Dismissal

The Franklin County Engineer recommends dismissal of the petition because we do not feel that the costs associated with this project, which is approximately $1.6 million, would outweigh the benefit.

Public interest Part 1 · 11:44

Commissioner O'Grady on Immigrant Roots

My grandfather spoke with a very thick Irish broker at a time in his country much different than it is today.

Full analysis

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Meeting Analysis

Franklin County (OH) — 2026-06-16

Meeting Information

Title: General Session Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Parish: Franklin County (OH)

Date: 2026-06-16

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1317

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Prosecutor's Annual Report Presentation	Franklin County Prosecutor Shaila Favour presented the office's first annual report, highlighting transparency, accountability, and work beyond criminal prosecutions.	Report accepted; copies available and online.	No vote needed.
World Refugee Day Recognition	The Board recognized World Refugee Day with a resolution presented by the Franklin County Welcome and Advisory Council, honoring refugee contributions.	Resolution adopted.	Unanimous.
Spring Sports State Champions Recognition	The Board recognized spring sports state champions from various high schools, including track and field, lacrosse, baseball, and softball.	Recognition ceremony held.	No vote needed.
Common Pleas Court Leadership Training Contract	Resolution 394-26 approved a $26,200 contract with Copia Leadership for leadership training for court staff, focusing on conflict dynamics.	Approved.	Unanimous.
RISE Mental Health Court Funding Increase	Resolution 395-26 increased funding for the RISE mental health court docket from $175,000 to $275,000 to expand housing services.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Probate Court ADA Compliance Upgrade	Resolution 396-26 authorized a $35,100 contract with MAPSIS to update the court's online case search for ADA compliance by April 2027.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Legal Aid Contract Extension for Guardianship Cases	Resolution 397-26 extended and modified the contract with Legal Aid Society to provide legal assistance in guardianship cases, adding $150,000 for a total of $220,000 through June 2028.	Approved.	Unanimous.
2026 General Bridge Maintenance Program Contract	Resolution 398-26 awarded a $463,192.70 contract to Access Civil Construction LLC for bridge maintenance.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Marlene Drive Bridge Design Contract	Resolution 399-26 appointed Woolpert Inc. for engineering services for the Marlene Drive bridge replacement over Marsh Run, at $183,092.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Sheriff's Office Athletic Training Services Agreement	Resolution 400-26 authorized a $203,604 agreement with Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for on-site athletic training services for sheriff's employees through May 2028.	Approved with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0 (Boyce abstained).
Board of Elections Capital Appropriation for Scanners	Resolution 401-26 approved $75,750 for 25 refurbished DS-200 ballot scanners for poll worker training.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Board of Elections Supplemental Appropriation	Resolution 402-26 approved $975,000 for election administration expenses, including poll worker compensation, training center lease, and Whitehall special election costs.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Grant for Ohio Somali Week Spring Cup	Resolution 403-26 approved a $67,530 grant to New American Heritage Sports League for the 2026 Ohio Somali Week Spring Cup youth sports event.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Sanitary Sewer Connections on Gladys Road and Ina Avenue	Resolution 404-26 awarded a $152,664.50 contract to Proho Enterprises LLC for connecting six homes to sanitary sewer, funded by Ohio EPA loan.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Water Pollution Control Loan for North Haigh Avenue Sewer Connections	Resolution 405-26 authorized a $337,695.50 loan application for connecting nine homes to sanitary sewer, with zero percent interest over 10 years.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Purchase Orders for Various Agencies (33 POs)	Resolution 406-26 approved 33 purchase orders totaling $313,132.58 for various county agencies.	Approved.	Unanimous.
Purchase Orders for Various Agencies (4 POs)	Resolution 407-26 approved 4 purchase orders totaling $420,927.37 for various county agencies.	Approved with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0 (Boyce abstained).
Appointment to Columbus Zoo Board	Resolution 408-26 appointed B. Keith Spears to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium board for a term expiring May 30, 2029.	Approved with Commissioner O'Grady abstaining.	2-0 (O'Grady abstained).
Annexation Petitions	Two annexation petitions were presented: ANX 14-26 (279.5 acres from Brown and Norwich townships to Columbus) and ANX 16-26 (146.9 acres from Washington Township to Dublin). Public hearings set for June 23, 2026.	Public hearing scheduled.	No vote.
2027 Tax Budget Public Hearing Notice	A public hearing on the 2027 Franklin County Tax Budget was announced for June 30, 2026 at 9am.	Notice given.	No vote.
ODOT Agribright Ditch Petition Dismissal	The Board held a final hearing on the ODOT Agribright Ditch improvement petition. The engineer recommended dismissal due to cost ($1.6 million) outweighing benefits, 100% opposition from property owners, and improvements already made. The Board dismissed the petition.	Petition dismissed; prior order set aside.	Unanimous.
Executive Session	Resolution 409-26 authorized an executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation.	Convened into executive session.	Unanimous.

Resolution 402-26: $975,000 supplemental appropriation for election administration expenses.
Resolution 405-26: $337,695.50 loan for sanitary sewer connections (zero interest, 10-year term).
Resolution 403-26: $67,530 grant for Ohio Somali Week Spring Cup.
Resolution 395-26: $100,000 increase (to $275,000) for RISE mental health court housing services.

Public Concerns: none noted.

Contentious Discussions: none noted.

Franklin County Prosecutor

Presented first annual report highlighting transparency, accountability, and work beyond criminal prosecutions.
Report available online and in print.

Franklin County Welcome and Advisory Council

Recognized World Refugee Day; highlighted refugee contributions and the importance of welcoming communities.

Franklin County Engineer

Recommended dismissal of ODOT Agribright Ditch petition due to cost-benefit analysis and property owner opposition.
Awarded contract for 2026 General Bridge Maintenance Program ($463,192.70).
Appointed Woolpert Inc. for Marlene Drive bridge design ($183,092).

Common Pleas Court

Approved leadership training contract with Copia Leadership ($26,200).
Approved modification for RISE mental health court docket ($275,000).

Probate Court

Approved ADA compliance upgrade for online case search ($35,100).
Approved contract extension with Legal Aid for guardianship cases ($220,000 total).

Sheriff's Office

Approved athletic training services agreement with Ohio State University ($203,604).

Board of Elections

Approved capital appropriation for 25 refurbished ballot scanners ($75,750).
Approved supplemental appropriation for election expenses ($975,000).

Economic Engagement and Community Development

Approved grant for Ohio Somali Week Spring Cup ($67,530).

Sanitary Engineer

Awarded contract for sewer connections on Gladys Road and Ina Avenue ($152,664.50).
Authorized loan application for North Haigh Avenue sewer connections ($337,695.50).

Purchasing

Approved 33 purchase orders ($313,132.58) and 4 purchase orders ($420,927.37).

Community Appointments

Appointed B. Keith Spears to Columbus Zoo board.

Franklin County Engineer to dismiss the ODOT Agribright Ditch petition and set aside the prior order.
Board of Elections to purchase 25 refurbished DS-200 ballot scanners for training.
Sanitary Engineer to proceed with nine sewer connections on North Haigh Avenue and six on Gladys Road/Ina Avenue.
County Administrator to submit loan application to Ohio EPA and OWDA for North Haigh Avenue sewer connections.
Public hearing on 2027 tax budget to be held June 30, 2026.