COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a sweeping agenda of contracts and grants, including a $1.44 million road reconstruction project and funding for technology internships for low-income students, while a public commenter raised conflict-of-interest concerns about a supervised visitation contract.
All resolutions passed during the May 19 meeting, though Commissioner John O’Grady and Commissioner Kevin Boyce each abstained from several votes without explanation.
The board unanimously awarded a $1,444,025.75 contract to Shelly Company for the Innis Road reconstruction project. The project will reconfigure the road from four lanes to three lanes, adding bike lanes and sidewalks. Funding comes from Ohio Department of Transportation safety funds.
Commissioners also approved a three-year, $594,651.99 contract with Gov Connection for Microsoft software to support the county’s data center, which houses more than 1,000 databases. The cost is roughly $198,000 per year.
In economic development, the board authorized a $380,500 grant agreement with Rev1 Ventures for 2026 to support technology startups. The program aims to accelerate company growth and job creation.
A $68,000 amendment to a subaward with TechCore Ohio will fund paid summer internships for 80 low-income high school students in technology fields. That resolution passed 3-0.
The board also approved a $100,000 subaward to the Columbus Urban League to serve as fiscal agent for the Equity Now Coalition, which works to dismantle structural racism. Commissioner Boyce abstained from that vote.
Public commenter Paula Zafer, a licensed foster parent, questioned a $28,000 contract with Ohio Guidest for supervised visitation services for parents in family recovery court. Zafer said Ohio Guidest also provides foster care and therapy services, creating a potential financial incentive to prolong cases.
“My question is regarding whether Ohio Guidest, who also offers licensed foster care, is then supervising the same visits that they have placement over,” Zafer told commissioners.
The board approved the contract unanimously.
Commissioners also approved a $57,200 contract with Jessica Gerwin for the relaunched Jail Population Review 2.0 initiative. The program focuses on data collection and care coordination for high utilizers of jail and behavioral health services, funded by a KOP grant.
Other approved items included: $289,132 in federal emergency management grant funds for 42 jurisdictions; two annexations totaling 167.48 acres from Sharon and Madison townships into Columbus; 11 subgrants totaling $66,995.99 under the Violence Against Women Act; and a $55,000 subgrant to OhioHealth Sarno for sexual assault training.
The board appointed Sandy Doyle Ahern to the Columbus Regional Airport Authority Board for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2029. Commissioner O’Grady abstained.
Patty Huddle was appointed to the Human Services Levy Review Committee for a term expiring May 19, 2031, in a unanimous vote.
The board then convened into executive session to consider personnel matters.