Franklin County Commissioners Approve $225,000 Sister Cities Contract, Proclaim Child Abuse Prevention Month

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a slate of resolutions, including a $225,000 annual contract with Greater Columbus Sister Cities International and a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The meeting began with a presentation from Franklin County Children’s Services and the Center for Healthy Families. Youth speakers from the agencies’ advisory boards addressed the board, urging community involvement in preventing child abuse.

“Every child deserves to feel safe and protected in their home,” said Journey Bonner, a junior at Bishop Hartley High School and a member of the Center for Healthy Families’ Black Girls and Young Women’s Collective.

Commissioners read a proclamation and accepted pinwheel displays, the national symbol for child abuse prevention. The agencies will host a prevention breakfast Wednesday at the Boathouse.

The board then moved through a consent agenda of 16 resolutions, all approved 2-0.

The Sister Cities contract, which drew brief discussion, funds cultural partnerships and the CIRCLE leadership program. Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce noted the economic development value of international ties.

“This is about building bridges that create opportunity,” Boyce said.

Other approvals included a $119,430 settlement for a property owner along Frank Road as part of the roundabout project, and a $1.95 million increase to the county’s pharmacy benefit management contract with Optimum RX PB due to higher program usage.

The board also authorized a $15,000 agreement with Levy Premium Food Service to provide up to 1,200 lunches for seniors at Senior Clippers Day, and renewed a partnership with Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for on-site case managers at OSU East Hospital’s emergency department. Officials said the program served more than 580 older adults in the past year at no cost to the county.

Commissioners approved a boundary conformance adjusting Montgomery Township lines to align with Columbus city limits for 980.44 acres annexed from Blendon Township.

The board also approved 85 purchase orders totaling $962,289.38 for various county agencies and a single $50 purchase order for the Franklin County Public Defender Agency.

Deputy County Administrator Chris Long presented a resolution authorizing the county administrator to sign contracts for recruitment, training, hiring and insurance matters up to $110,000.

William P. Demora was reappointed to the board of directors of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission for a term ending March 2, 2029.

No contentious issues or public comments were raised during the session.

Key moments

Public interest

Child Abuse Prevention Month Presentation

Commissioners recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention Month with presentations from Franklin County Children's Services and Center for Healthy Families, including youth speakers.

Significant

Sister Cities Contract Discussion

Commissioner O'Grady emphasized the importance of international economic development and defended foreign trips as hard work that benefits the community.

Full analysis

Show structured analysis

Meeting Analysis

Franklin County (OH) Board of Commissioners — 2026-04-07

Meeting Information

Title: General Session - Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Parish: Franklin County (OH) Board of Commissioners

Date: 2026-04-07

Video: Recording

Transcript segments: 1285

Item	Description	Action	Vote Status
Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation	Commissioners recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention Month with presentations from Franklin County Children's Services and Center for Healthy Families, including youth speakers.	Proclamation read and resolutions presented.	No vote needed.
Release of Easement in Row Estate Subdivision	Resolution authorizing release of a utilities easement to allow a property owner to build a house; no utilities were located in the easement.	Resolution 21926 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Crop Road Drainage Outlet Improvement Part 2	Approval of plans for drainage improvement along Crop Road associated with Kreb Ditch, funded with OPWC dollars.	Resolution 20526 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Frank Road Roundabout Project Compensation	Settlement of appropriation proceedings for one property owner along Frank Road for $119,430 after mediation.	Resolution 20626 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Senior Clippers Day Food Service Agreement	Agreement with Levy Premium Food Service for up to 1,200 lunches for seniors at Senior Clippers Day, not to exceed $15,000.	Resolution 20726 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
OSU Wexner Medical Center Case Management Contract	Continued partnership for on-site case managers at OSU East Hospital emergency department, serving over 580 older adults in the past year at no cost to the county.	Resolution 20826 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation Agreement	Working agreement for storm water management and natural resource services, $57,120.	Resolution 20926 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Montgomery Township Boundary Conformance	Adjustment of Montgomery Township boundaries to conform to Columbus city limits for 980.44 acres annexed from Blendon Township.	Resolution 21026 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Greater Columbus Sister Cities International Contract	Annual partner contract for $225,000 to foster economic opportunity and cultural partnerships, including the CIRCLE leadership program.	Resolution 21126 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Optimum RX PB Contract Modification	Increase of $1,950,000 for pharmacy benefit management due to higher program usage and clinical management costs.	Resolution 21226 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Community Refugee and Immigration Services Contract Modification	Increase of $5,328.50 for culturally appropriate support for limited English proficient survivors of domestic violence.	Resolution 21326 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services Contract Modification	Increase of $38,178.51 for support services for immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence.	Resolution 21426 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Various County Purchases	Approval of 85 purchase orders totaling $962,289.38 for various agencies.	Resolution 21526 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Public Defender Purchase	One purchase order for $50 for the Franklin County Public Defender Agency.	Resolution 21626 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
County Administrator Administrative Functions	Resolution authorizing the county administrator to sign contracts for recruitment, training, hiring, and insurance up to $110,000.	Resolution 21726 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).
Reappointment to Greater Columbus Sports Commission	Reappointment of William P. Demora to the board of directors for a term ending March 2, 2029.	Resolution 21826 approved.	Unanimous (2-0).

Frank Road roundabout project compensation: $119,430.
Senior Clippers Day food service: $15,000.
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation agreement: $57,120.
Greater Columbus Sister Cities International contract: $225,000.
Optimum RX PB contract modification: $1,950,000.
Community Refugee and Immigration Services modification: $5,328.50.
Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services modification: $38,178.51.
Various county purchases: $962,289.38.
Public Defender purchase: $50.
County administrator administrative functions: up to $110,000.

Public Concerns: none noted.

Contentious Discussions: none noted.

No department reports noted.

Action Items: none noted.