COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on April 28 approved a series of contracts and policy initiatives totaling more than $10 million, including a final extension of senior adult day services and home support contracts and the creation of a new countywide digital accessibility coordinator position.
All resolutions passed unanimously, with Commissioners Kevin Boyce and John O’Grady voting in favor.
The board approved a $10 million extension and modification of contracts for senior adult day services and home support services, which includes a 1.5% rate increase. The action represents the final extension of the current agreements.
Commissioners also authorized a new position to design, implement and improve a countywide digital accessibility program to meet federal Americans with Disabilities Act mandates. The role will be housed within the county’s information technology department.
In other business, the board approved a sixth amendment to the county’s dog licensing software contract with Hoover Blanket Inc., doing business as Main Street Computing. The amendment extends the agreement through Dec. 31, 2026, and adds work to ensure the platform complies with ADA requirements.
A contract with LexisNexis Risk Solutions for its Accurate for Government platform was approved, allowing the Treasurer’s Office to obtain real-time taxpayer contact information.
The board also authorized a $5 million contract with Buyers Ford LLC for the purchase of new fleet vehicles, with the company identified as the lowest and best bidder.
A contract with Mount Carmel Health System for on-site case management services at Mount Carmel East and St. Ann’s hospitals was approved after a public comment raised concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. The speaker cited personal experience with improper child placement. Commissioners directed staff to follow up on the concerns.
The board approved a $100,000 agreement with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide more than 77,000 books to Franklin County families.
A service agreement extension with Credible Mind for a digital behavioral health platform connecting residents to mental health resources was also approved.
Commissioners welcomed the sixth cohort of the Racial Equity Council through a resolution recognizing their role in advancing equity and inclusion. The board also approved a contract with Dr. Leo Taylor for 30 virtual professional development workshops for county employees, covering topics including language, intent, impact, difficult conversations and allyship.
The board approved the reallocation of $30,000 in Title 2 juvenile justice funds to three subgrantees — Breaking Barriers, Guiding Guild Association and Our Brother’s Keeper — for prevention and diversion programming. A separate $155,587 contract with Job and Family Services will expand the Common Pleas Court’s children of incarcerated parents initiative, adding a case manager to serve seven courtrooms.
Commissioners approved 74 purchase orders totaling $2,527,847.30 for various county agencies and accepted the donation of permanent and temporary construction easements to the City of Columbus for constructing a portion of the Big Walnut Trail.
The meeting also included recognition of Second Chance Month and county government month activities. Shauna Sanders, re-entry support services coordinator from the Office of Justice Policy and Programs, highlighted the county’s re-entry resource fairs, which have served an average of 197 residents per event over the past three years.