Franklin County Commissioners Approve $1.5M for Supportive Housing, Adopt FY 2027 Tax Budget

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $1.5 million grant to Champions Bridge LLC for the adaptive reuse of two hotels into 100 units of supportive housing for seniors, fixed-income individuals and pregnant women, and adopted a fiscal year 2027 tax budget that projects modest revenue growth but requires agencies to trim requests by 2.5%.

The board voted 3-0 on the housing grant, Resolution 45426, one of more than 30 items on a packed agenda ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend. The meeting opened with a presentation from historian Dorene Yuas Sauer, a member of the America 250 Undertold Stories committee, who drew parallels between challenges facing Franklin County commissioners in the 1830s and today, including housing affordability, migration, school funding and transportation.

“It may or may not surprise you that as counties were being carved out of the federal land west of the Alleghenies, the issues for Franklin County commissioners even by the 1830s would look remarkably like the issues of 2026,” Sauer said.

Commissioners adopted the FY 2027 tax budget, Resolution 45526, after a public hearing. The budget projects less than 3% growth in sales tax revenue but faces rising costs, including a 13% increase in health care expenses. County Administrator Kenneth Wilson said the spending plan requires agencies to reduce their requests by 2.5%.

The board also approved a $330,000 sports tourism grant to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to support events including the MLK Women’s Basketball Showdown, Black Girls Run and the Gay Softball World Series.

Commissioner Kevin Boyce abstained from several votes, including resolutions approving prosecution and defense clinic agreements with Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, a no-cost extension for OSU’s Urban Roots 4-H youth program, and two purchase order resolutions. Boyce also requested contract changes to a $190,000 triparty grant with St. Stephen’s Community House and the RO Foundation for a financial literacy conference before voting yes.

Other actions included a $64,154 contract with Michael Baker International for next-generation 911 strategic planning, a $143,999.63 subaward for a Transit Arts youth program serving 80 young people ages 12-21, and a $75,000 subaward for a parent leadership training institute serving 50 families.

Commissioners adopted the 2026 Annual Capital Improvement Plan and approved a $5.5 million supplemental appropriation for construction projects. They also authorized a sixth amendment to a sublease with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to receive $1.15 million for bathroom renovations and a hot water heater replacement at a community-based correctional facility.

The board appointed Michelle Pride, Kevin Pangrace and Gary Collins to the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission for terms ending June 30, 2028, and approved Mayor Richard L. Stage as the suburban mayors’ appointee to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Board.

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

Key moments

Significant

America 250 Undertold Stories Presentation

Dorene Yuas Sauer presented on the historic promises of the Northwest Ordinance and contemporary challenges, noting that issues from the 1830s like housing affordability, immigration, and school funding remain today.

Significant

Champions Bridge Housing Project Approval

Commissioners approved a $1.5 million grant to Maurice Clarrett's Champions Bridge for a 100-unit supportive housing project serving seniors, fixed-income individuals, and pregnant women.

Public interest

Transit Arts Youth Poem Performance

Kendra Mills, a former participant now program coordinator, recited a poem about finding his passion through the Transit Arts program.

Significant

FY 2027 Tax Budget Discussion

Zach Teric reported that sales tax growth is projected at under 3%, but health care costs are rising 13%, requiring agencies to cut requests by 2.5%.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

Franklin County (OH) Board of Commissioners — 2026-06-30

Meeting Information

Title: General Session Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Parish: Franklin County (OH) Board of Commissioners

Date: 2026-06-30

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 2043

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Prosecution Clinic Agreement with OSU Moritz College of Law	Approved a contract for the Prosecutor's Office to operate a criminal prosecution clinic for law students.	Resolution 43926 adopted with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0-1 (Boyce abstain)
Community-Based Correctional Facility Bathroom Renovation	Authorized a sixth amendment to a sublease with Ohio DRC to receive $1,151,297 for bathroom renovations and hot water heater replacement.	Resolution 44026 adopted unanimously.	3-0
AT&T Demarcation Point Relocation at Data Center	Authorized an agreement with AT&T for a $36,000 quote to relocate the demarcation point at 900 North Hague Avenue for improved security.	Resolution 44126 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Next Generation 911 Strategic Planning Contract	Approved a $64,154 contract with Michael Baker International for strategic planning and coordination for next generation 911 implementation.	Resolution 44226 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Law Library Grant for Public Computers	Accepted $3,728 in grant funds from the statewide consortium to purchase two new public computers.	Resolution 44326 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Public Defender Criminal Defense Clinic Agreement	Approved a contract for the Public Defender's Office to operate a criminal defense clinic for OSU law students.	Resolution 44426 adopted with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0-1 (Boyce abstain)
Financial Literacy Conference Grant	Authorized a $190,000 triparty grant with St. Stephen's Community House and the RO Foundation for a financial literacy conference.	Resolution 44526 adopted unanimously after contract changes requested by Commissioner Boyce.	3-0
Sports Tourism Grant to Greater Columbus Sports Commission	Approved a $330,000 grant to support sports events including MLK Women's Basketball Showdown, Black Girls Run, and Gay Softball World Series.	Resolution 44626 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Transit Arts Youth Engagement Program	Approved a $143,999.63 subaward with Central Community House for the Transit Arts program serving 80 youth ages 12-21.	Resolution 44726 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Parent Leadership Training Institute Grant	Approved a $75,000 subaward with Transforming Communities for the Central Ohio Parent Leadership Training Institute serving 50 families.	Resolution 44826 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Urban Roots 4-H Youth Development No-Cost Extension	Approved a no-cost extension for OSU's Urban Roots 4-H program through September 30, 2026.	Resolution 44926 adopted with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0-1 (Boyce abstain)
2026 Annual Capital Improvement Plan and Appropriation	Adopted the 2026 CIP and approved a $5.5 million supplemental appropriation for construction projects.	Resolution 45026 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Bulk Purchases for County Agencies	Approved 68 purchase orders totaling $1,068,271.22 for various county agencies.	Resolution 45126 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Single Purchase Order for Board of Commissioners	Approved one purchase order for $5,734,979 for the Board of Commissioners.	Resolution 45226 adopted with Commissioner O'Grady abstaining.	2-0-1 (O'Grady abstain)
Two Purchase Orders for County Agencies	Approved two purchase orders totaling $18,000 for various agencies.	Resolution 45326 adopted with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0-1 (Boyce abstain)
Champions Bridge Housing Project Grant	Approved a $1.5 million grant to Champions Bridge LLC for adaptive reuse of two hotels into 100 units of supportive housing for seniors, fixed-income individuals, and pregnant women.	Resolution 45426 adopted unanimously.	3-0
FY 2027 Tax Budget Adoption	Adopted the fiscal year 2027 tax budget, which projects a less than 3% sales tax increase but faces rising costs including 13% health care increases, requiring agencies to reduce requests by 2.5%.	Resolution 45526 adopted unanimously after public hearing.	3-0
Appointments to Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission	Appointed Michelle Pride, Kevin Pangrace, and Gary Collins to the MORPC for terms ending June 30, 2028.	Resolutions 45626, 45726, 45826 adopted unanimously.	3-0 each
Appointment to Convention Facilities Authority Board	Approved Mayor Richard L. I. Stage as the suburban mayors' appointee to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Board.	Resolution 45926 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Appointment to Board of Zoning Appeals	Appointed Laura Ankuni to the Franklin County Board of Zoning Appeals for a term ending June 30, 2031.	Resolution 46026 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Executive Session	Convened into executive session to discuss personnel matters and pending litigation.	Resolution 46126 adopted unanimously.	3-0

FY 2027 tax budget adopted; sales tax growth projected at just under 3%.
Health care costs expected to rise 13%.
Agencies asked to reduce budget requests by 2.5%.
Current year sales tax performance ahead of estimates through first six months.
Investment earnings exceeding last year's pace; potential rate increase by Fed could boost revenue.

Public Concerns: none noted.

Contentious Discussions: none noted.

Prosecutor's Office

Approved contract with OSU Moritz College of Law for prosecution clinic.

Office of Management and Budget

Presented FY 2027 tax budget; noted sales tax growth under 3%, health care costs up 13%, agencies asked to cut 2.5%.

Data Center

Approved $36,000 AT&T agreement for demarcation point relocation.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Approved $64,154 contract with Michael Baker International for next generation 911 strategic planning.

Law Library

Accepted $3,728 grant for two public computers.

Public Defender

Approved contract with OSU for criminal defense clinic.

Office on Aging

Approved $190,000 triparty grant for financial literacy conference.

Economic Engagement and Community Development

Approved $330,000 grant to Greater Columbus Sports Commission for sports tourism.

Job and Family Services

Approved $143,999.63 subaward for Transit Arts youth program.
Approved $75,000 subaward for Parent Leadership Training Institute.
Approved no-cost extension for Urban Roots 4-H program.

Public Facilities Management

Adopted 2026 CIP with $5.5 million supplemental appropriation.

Purchasing

Approved bulk purchases totaling $1,068,271.22 (68 POs).
Approved single PO for $5,734,979 for Board of Commissioners.
Approved two POs totaling $18,000.

Board of Commissioners

Approved $1.5 million grant to Champions Bridge for housing project.

County agencies to prepare 2027 budget requests with 2.5% reduction.
Office of Management and Budget to finalize revenue estimates after July investment advisory committee meeting.