COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 24, 2026) — The Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved more than $7.6 million in grants and contracts Monday, including funding for health programs, workforce training and infrastructure improvements, while postponing a $3 million affordable housing pilot program for further review.
The board voted 3-0 on most of the 13 resolutions during its general session, with Commissioner Kevin Boyce abstaining on two items.
Commissioners approved $700,000 for the African American Male Wellness Agency to support health programs including Black Men’s Wellness Day and Uplift Her Women’s Wellness Day. Another $222,072 was approved for the Ohio Black Expo Riverfront Culture Fest, with Boyce abstaining.
The board also authorized $550,000 to NCUS Tech for a fiber optic technician training program through the Broadband Futures Program, and $1.5 million to Franklin County Public Health for transitional housing and stabilization services.
In infrastructure, the board awarded a $374,532 contract to Decker Construction Company for the Safe Routes to Schools 2023 project, which will install intersection speed tables, flashing beacons and sidewalks at elementary schools in Perry Township. Commissioners also approved $4,500 in compensation for property owners abutting the Innis Road Improvement Project in Clinton and Mifflin Townships.
The board extended a $450,000 contract with Jess Howard Electric Company for maintenance and replacement of the county’s outdoor tornado warning siren system. Emergency Management Agency officials said all 198 sirens operated during last week’s statewide tornado drill, though three required service afterward.
A $97,850 contract with Civic Plus LLC for ADA-compliant document accessibility software was approved to meet federal digital accessibility requirements.
The most significant debate centered on Resolution 185-26, which would establish a $3 million Affordable Housing Pre-development Bridge Fund pilot program. Commissioner John O’Grady requested postponement, saying he needed more time to review program guidelines and selection criteria.
“There’s several questions that I run through my head as I’m reading through Exhibit A that I just need to look over,” O’Grady said.
County Administrator Kenneth Wilson assured commissioners that any project awards would come before the board for approval and that he would not move forward without commissioner support during the pilot period, which ends Dec. 31.
The board voted unanimously to postpone the resolution to March 31.
Commissioners also approved 87 purchase orders totaling $3.3 million and four smaller purchase orders totaling $6,350, with Boyce abstaining on the latter.
The board appointed Ernest Stockton as Franklin County’s representative to the One Ohio Region One Board, which oversees opioid litigation settlement funds.