COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved more than $1 million in youth programming and contracts, including a summer camp partnership with Ohio State University’s law school and a $745,000 employment program with the Columbus Urban League, during a meeting that opened with a presentation on the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Commissioners began the session with a moment of recognition for Memorial Day, with Commissioner Boyce noting the ongoing toll of military service and the three Ohio soldiers lost in combat about six weeks ago.

Angela O’Neal, manager of local history and genealogy at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, then presented the library’s plans for America 250, the July 4 commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. O’Neal detailed the library’s history, from its 1873 founding in City Hall to its current 23 locations serving an estimated 1 million residents. She previewed a summer reading challenge running June 1 through July 31, author visits including historian Patrick P. discussing “Black Patriots: Recovering a Lost History of the American Revolution,” and walking tours of neighborhoods including Wetstone, North Side, and Mary and Franklin. Commissioners expressed support and discussed the county’s own plans for the anniversary.

The board then approved a series of resolutions, including Resolution 33226 authorizing $48,229.50 for Clean Enterprises LTD to run the Justice for All 2026 summer youth camp for up to 60 youth at Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law. Commissioner Boyce abstained.

Resolution 33826 authorized a $745,000 subboard agreement with the Columbus Urban League for the Ready to Earn Summer Youth Employment Program, serving at least 186 youth. Boyce also abstained.

Commissioners unanimously approved Resolution 33326, a $49,000 consulting contract with Flow Partner LLC to provide internal communications, team building, and conflict resolution services to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. Resolution 33426 authorized $47,581 for Metals Treatment Technologies LLC to clean bullet traps and abate lead at the Sheriff’s Office firing range.

Resolution 33726 authorized $192,500 to US Together for phase three of Central Ohio’s economic integration plan for immigrants and refugees. Resolution 33926 authorized an $88,000 subgrant to support the Special Victims Unit and victim services under the Violence Against Women Act.

Commissioners postponed Resolution 33626, a $355,000 grant to the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, to June 2 to finalize contract revisions.

The board approved three equipment purchases for the county print shop totaling $174,129: a hole punch ($79,296), coil binder ($54,333), and perforation/scoring equipment ($40,500), all with Coronado Binding Systems.

Bulk purchase orders included Resolution 34426 ($1,900,237.29 for 68 purchase orders) unanimously; Resolution 34526 ($3,531,377.32 for one purchase order) with Commissioner Orady abstaining; and Resolution 34626 ($61,181.68 for six purchase orders) with Boyce abstaining.

Resolution 34726 authorized $53,556.28 in agreements with AEP Ohio to remove and relocate electric power infrastructure for demolition of the old main jail as part of the downtown facility project.

Commissioners approved reappointments to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium board: Zachary Tilleric (Resolution 34826) and Joseph Ezie (Resolution 34926), with Orady abstaining on both. Appointments to the Affordable Housing Trust Corporation board included Humphrey K. Minet (Resolution 35026) and Betsy Pandora (Resolution 35126), with Boyce abstaining on both.

The meeting adjourned into administrative session.