Auditor Implements Sex Offender Search Tool
from the Auditor
The Franklin County Auditor has announced a new tool to help promote safety in our community. Users will now be able to go online and locate the addresses of registered sex offenders using the Auditor's property search application. Click the link below to access the service.
Time Savings and Fewer Mistakes Goal of New Online Election Service
from Board of Elections
The Franklin County Board of Elections is launching a new online service, the first of its type from a county election board in Ohio, to help campaigners reduce the time and avoid common mistakes involved in completing the paperwork required to be certified for the ballot.
Upcoming Events
Mondays through 03/29:
Interviews for Census Positions
02/15:
Presidents' Day—County Offices Closed
02/17:
Child Support Enforcement Agency—Family Empowerment Day
from the Auditor
As we continue in this cooler part of the year, people are using their fireplaces more often. Buying firewood, though, can be a challenge if you don′t know how to measure what is being sold.
from Board of Elections
The latest set of semi-annual campaign finance reports is now available online at the Board of Elections web site. The documents are in PDF format. Follow the link below to access the reports.
from Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Shaping our Future is a plan the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission is spearheading for 12 counties in central Ohio. Expected to be completed in 2012, Shaping Our Future will integrate elements that impact the region including the transportation system, land use patterns, air quality, energy security, water quality, food production, and economic development. The mission is to have a regionally accepted plan that ensures major public infrastructure expenditures and public development decisions are made with a focus on sustainability to secure a competitive advantage for central Ohio.
The survey takes 10 minutes. There are questions about energy, environment, transportation, the economy and your neighborhood. Most importantly, it's an opportunity for you to say what you like about central Ohio and what you think would make it better. It's anonymous, it's fast, and it's important. Get involved in Shaping Our Future! Click the link below to take the survey.
from Board of Health
For updated information from the Franklin County Board of Health and Columbus Public Health about the Pandemic H1N1 flu, including the H1N1 vaccine clinic schedule, visit www.ColumbusPandemicFlu.org. You can also dial 211, or 221-2255 if your phone does not have access to the 211 service.
from Children Services
In conjunction with Black History Month, Franklin County Children Services recognizes the achievements of African Americans in the field of social work. Exploration in this area will reveal enormous contributions made by pioneers in this field. Click the link below for the story on the Children Services home page.
from Auditor
Auditor of State Mary Taylor's office presented Franklin County officials with the "Making Your Tax Dollars Count" award for their fiscal year 2008 audit. Fewer than five percent of all Ohio government agencies are eligible for this award.
Chuck Coleman and Franklin County Auditor Clarence Mingo accepted the award from John R. Levitt, a regional liaison from the State Auditor's office, on Monday, January 25. Coleman headed up the CAFR team that also included Ernie Francis, Andrea Hill, Marj Kruse, Pat Newman and intern Ashley Waller.
from Auditor
Have a complaint on property valuations and appraisals? The Franklin County Board of Revision (BOR) hears formal complaints from December after the first half tax bill is mailed until March 31 each year. Filing a complaint allows property owners to schedule a hearing before the Board of Revision. Click the link below for details.
from Auditor
Senior citizens can get up to a $25,000 reduction on the value of their home for tax purposes. The homestead exemption provides a reduction in property taxes to any senior or disabled citizen, regardless of income, on the dwelling that is that individual's principal place of residence and up to one acre of land of which an eligible individual is an owner. Click the link below to download the application.
from Child Support Enforcement Agency
The Franklin County Child Support Enforcement Agency, in partnership with the Columbus Urban League and the Impact Community Action Agency, will hold its 2010 Family Empowerment Day event at the King Arts Complex located at 867 Mt. Vernon Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43203, on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This outreach effort is being planned to empower and reconnect families throughout Columbus and Franklin County. The event is free and open to the public. There will be free parking, free food and door prizes.
from Animal Control
While you're shoveling walks and scraping windows and otherwise dealing with winter, don't forget your pets. Franklin County Animal Control recommends taking extra precautions to protect your pets in frigid weather. Click the link below for details.
Construction activity will affect traffic patterns near the Franklin County Government Center. Mound Street between High Street and Front Street has been temporarily restricted to one westbound lane. The Front Street ground-level entrance to the Franklin County Courthouse has closed permanently. Employees and visitors to the Franklin County Government Center should enter through the main entrance located on High Street. The Front Street parking garage crosswalk will remain open. Pick-up or drop-off of passengers is strongly discouraged on the Front Street side of the Center. Click the link below for details.
The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) is an online service offering low- and moderate-income Ohioans access to work supports such as tax credits and public benefits. Ohioans can also check potential eligibility for other work support benefits such as health care coverage, home energy assistance, child care subsidies, and food stamps. Follow the links below to view the flyer, and to access the Benefit Bank web site.
from Board of Commissioners and Clerk of Courts
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting for field positions. Details about the available positions are now posted on the Census website, http://www.2010censusjobs.gov. Interested applicants should call the toll free number, 1-866-861-2010, to schedule a test, the first step in the application process for a job with the U.S. Census Bureau. Interviews will be held every Monday through March in the Press Room of the Franklin County Court House, on the first floor of 373 S. High Street, at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.
from Engineer
The Franklin County Engineer has posted a list of ten area construction projects slated for 2010. For help avoiding the orange barrels and planning your alternate routes, click the link below.
from Animal Control
Franklin County Animal Control offers an online tool for finding the right dog for you. You can specify breed, age, size, and even locate dogs that are good with kids or other animals. Click the link below to access the Adoptable Dogs search page. You might just find your new best friend!
from Children Services
With an alarming rate of child abuse deaths, Franklin County Children Services, in partnership with the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, recently launched a campaign urging single parents to carefully consider who they allow to care for and be with their children. Click the link below for details.
from Children Services
You can stay connected to Franklin County Children Services by following the agency on Twitter and Facebook. Keep up-to-date on news, events, programs, and photos. Be on the lookout for contests to win prizes donated by local business and organizations, too.
You can also go to the Children Services web site to see how to report child abuse and how to adopt, foster and mentor. Recently added features include parenting tips in Spanish, levy information and volunteer opportunities. Help Children services protect children by strengthening families. Click the link below to go to the Children Services home page.
from Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers have posted their schedule for 2010. Come out and support your home town team at Huntington Park this spring as the Clippers kick off their season. Enjoy Dime-A-Dog nights and other great traditions with family and friends as you cheer the Clippers on to victory. Click the link below for the schedule.
Franklin Soil and Water is holding its annual Tree, Fish, and Wildflower Sale. This year's sale offers many new items and kits as well as native trees, shrubs, grasses, and wildflowers. The last day to order is March 26. Click the link below for details.
from Children Services
Stress is a normal part of parenting and a normal part of life, but if you're having trouble keeping your cool around your kids, it's time for a time-out. Click the link below for details.
from Children Services
Franklin County Children Services helps thousands of abused, neglected and troubled children each year, yet the agency cannot do it alone. Many children and older youth under the care of the agency depend on volunteers and mentors to guide them through difficult times. They look forward to spending time and sharing activities with a special friend.
Children Services has various ways that individuals can volunteer and mentor children. The agency's Friendship, Simba, Malaika, and College-Bound mentoring programs match an adult one-on-one with a child under the care of Children Services. Click the link below for details.
