Franklin County Commissioners Approve Roundabout, $1.1M CDL Training Program

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a slate of resolutions including a new roundabout project, a $1.1 million commercial driver training program and multiple law enforcement grants, while one commissioner abstained from a minor purchasing vote.

The board voted 3-0 to adopt plans for a modern roundabout at the Clark State Road and Wagner Road intersection in Jefferson Township. The project will replace the current three-legged, stop-controlled intersection, according to Nick Sulus, representing the Franklin County Engineer’s office.

Commissioners also approved a $1,681.89 contract modification with True Cro Construction Co. for the Crop Road drainage outlet project, bringing the revised contract total to $1,139,748.89. The adjustment accounted for actual quantities of stockpile top soil used during the completed project.

In workforce development, the board authorized a $1.1 million subboard agreement with Roads to Work Inc. to provide commercial driver training for underserved county residents. The program aims to enroll 125 participants, with an 80% target for obtaining commercial driver’s licenses and subsequent employment.

The board accepted two law enforcement grants: $182,179.72 from the Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund for the Franklin County Drug Task Force, and $100,000 from the Violent Crime Reduction Grant program. Both grants will fund overtime investigations, with the latter focusing on drug crimes linked to prior violent criminal activity.

Commissioners also approved a $250,214.71 grant agreement with the Columbus Council on World Affairs to support the Global Scholars Diploma Program, a three-year leadership and global education initiative serving 1,200 high school students across 19 school districts.

Other approved items included a $91,963.94 contract with CDW Government LLC for Cohesity Cloud M365 backup software to protect Microsoft 365 data, and an $18,811.20 contract with SHI International Corp. for Blue Beam software licenses to enable blueprint collaboration across multiple county departments.

The board set the annual meeting between the Franklin County Engineer and township and county authorities for Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Villa Milano Banquet and Conference Center.

Commissioner Boyce abstained from voting on Resolution 47726, which approved two purchase orders totaling $2,000 for various county agencies. The reason for the abstention was not specified during the meeting.

The board also approved 77 purchase orders totaling $918,268.10 for various county agencies, and reappointed Michael Shannon to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Board of Directors for a new four-year term.

Key moments

Significant

Senior esports announcement

Franklin County seniors have been invited to the Global Esports Federation competition in LA in December 2026, competing against Belgium in Rocket League.

Public interest

Immigrant CDL training restriction comment

Richard Crockett noted that a Trump executive order prohibits non-domicile immigrants from training for a CDL, impacting the immigrant community.

Contentious

Commissioner Boyce abstention

Resolution 47726 was adopted with Commissioner Boyce's noted abstention.

Significant

Global Scholars student testimony

Student Imani Kendi Aikita shared how the Global Scholars program inspired her documentary on immigrant students and her passion for public service.

Public interest

Commissioner comments on international community

Commissioner O'Grady emphasized the need to educate residents about Franklin County's growing international community and global business influence.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

Franklin County (OH) Board of Commissioners — 2026-07-07

Meeting Information

Title: General Session Tuesday July 7, 2026

Parish: Franklin County (OH) Board of Commissioners

Date: 2026-07-07

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1114

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Clark State Road at Wagner Road intersection project	Plans approved for constructing a modern roundabout at a three-legged stop-controlled intersection in Jefferson Township.	Resolution 46226 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Crop Road drainage outlet project contract modification	Contract modification with True Cro Construction for actual quantities of stockpile top soil, increasing contract by $1,681.89 to $1,139,748.89.	Resolution 46326 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Annual county and township meeting date set	Set the annual meeting between Franklin County Engineer and Township and County authorities for Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.	Resolution 46426 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund Grant acceptance	Acceptance of $182,179.72 grant for the Franklin County Drug Task Force to enhance drug possession and trafficking investigations via overtime.	Resolution 46526 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Violent Crime Reduction Grant acceptance	Acceptance of $100,000 grant for overtime investigations and additional training, focusing on drug crimes with nexus to prior violent criminal activity.	Resolution 46626 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Blue Beam software licenses procurement	Contract with SHI International Corporation for Blue Beam Complete and Blue Beam Max software licenses at $18,811.20 for collaboration on blueprints across multiple county departments.	Resolution 46726 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Cohesity Cloud M365 backup software procurement	Contract with CDW Government LLC for Cohesity Cloud M365 backup software and deployment services at $91,963.94 to protect Microsoft 365 data.	Resolution 46826 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Global Scholars Diploma Program grant	Grant agreement with Columbus Council on World Affairs for $250,214.71 to support a three-year leadership and global education program for 1,200 high school students across 19 school districts.	Resolution 46926 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Emerge and She Leads workforce development programs grant	Grant agreement with She Imprints for $60,000 to support two leadership development programs for women and girls.	Resolution 47026 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Link Academy of Columbus STEM summer program grant	Grant agreement for $25,000 to support a 10-week summer STEM program for K-3 students at Link Academy.	Resolution 47126 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Roads to Work CDL training program subboard agreement	Subboard agreement with Roads to Work Inc. for $1,100,000 to provide commercial driver training for underserved residents, targeting 125 enrollees with 80% expected to obtain CDL and employment.	Resolution 47226 adopted unanimously.	3-0
FY2025 Justice Assistance Grant funding plan MOU	Memorandum of understanding with Columbus and Whitehall allocating $485,519 in JAG funds across public safety, courts, sheriff, reentry, and overdose awareness.	Resolution 47326 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Short North Alliance Open Streets events grant	Grant agreement for $75,000 to support 2026 open streets events and safety programming in the Short North Arts District.	Resolution 47426 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Mail sorter relocation service agreement	Service agreement with DMT Solutions Global (Bluecrest) for $23,830 to deinstall, relocate, and reinstall a mail sorter from the 16th floor to the 8th floor.	Resolution 47526 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Purchase orders for various agencies (large)	Approval of 77 purchase orders totaling $918,268.10 for various county agencies.	Resolution 47626 adopted unanimously.	3-0
Purchase orders for various agencies (small)	Approval of 2 purchase orders totaling $2,000 for various county agencies.	Resolution 47726 adopted with Commissioner Boyce abstaining.	2-0 (1 abstention)
Reappointment to Convention Facilities Authority Board	Reappointment of Michael Shannon to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority Board of Directors for a new four-year term.	Resolution 47826 adopted unanimously.	3-0

Crop Road drainage outlet project contract modification: increase of $1,681.89 to $1,139,748.89.
Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund Grant: $182,179.72 accepted.
Violent Crime Reduction Grant: $100,000 accepted.
Blue Beam software licenses: $18,811.20.
Cohesity Cloud M365 backup software: $91,963.94.
Global Scholars Diploma Program grant: $250,214.71.
Emerge and She Leads programs grant: $60,000.
Link Academy STEM summer program grant: $25,000.
Roads to Work CDL training program: $1,100,000.
FY2025 JAG funding plan: $485,519 allocated.
Short North Alliance grant: $75,000.
Mail sorter relocation: $23,830.
Purchase orders (large): $918,268.10.
Purchase orders (small): $2,000.

Impact of federal executive order on immigrant CDL training opportunities.

Commissioner Boyce abstained from voting on resolution 47726 (purchase orders for $2,000) for an unspecified reason.

Engineer

Plans approved for Clark State Road at Wagner Road roundabout.
Contract modification approved for Crop Road drainage outlet project.
Annual county and township meeting set for November 19, 2026.

Sheriff's Office

Accepted Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Fund Grant ($182,179.72) for drug task force overtime.
Accepted Violent Crime Reduction Grant ($100,000) for overtime and training.

Data Center

Approved contract for Blue Beam software licenses ($18,811.20).
Approved contract for Cohesity Cloud M365 backup software ($91,963.94).

Economic Engagement and Community Development

Approved grant for Global Scholars Diploma Program ($250,214.71).
Approved grant for Emerge and She Leads programs ($60,000).
Approved grant for Link Academy STEM summer program ($25,000).

Job and Family Services

Approved subboard agreement with Roads to Work for CDL training ($1,100,000).

Justice Policy and Programs

Approved MOU for FY2025 JAG funding plan ($485,519).

Public Facilities Management

Approved grant for Short North Alliance open streets events ($75,000).

Purchasing

Approved service agreement for mail sorter relocation ($23,830).
Approved 77 purchase orders ($918,268.10).
Approved 2 purchase orders ($2,000).

Board of Commissioners

Reappointed Michael Shannon to Convention Facilities Authority Board.

County administrator to execute MOU with Columbus and Whitehall for JAG funding plan.
Purchasing to process 77 purchase orders for various agencies.
Purchasing to process 2 purchase orders for various agencies.
Clerk's office to incorporate journalized list into meeting minutes.