State of the County Reports

Providing for the safety and security of Franklin County residents is among the commissioners’ most important duties and one they take very seriously. Almost 60% of the commissioners’ General Fund budget supports safety, security, and justice programs such as the Sheriff’s Office, the county court system, Animal Care and Control, and the jail. In addition to protecting residents, the commissioners are also committed to the ideals of smart justice and a justice system that supports the people with whom it is in contact so that they can be successful in the community and to reduce recidivism.

The commissioners’ commitment to equity is rooted in the principles of justice and the understanding that our country is not yet living up to some of its highest ideals, such as that people’s chances of success in the world should be based on their character, their work ethic, and their big ideas. A child’s future should not be determined by their zip code, skin color or religion, or by how much money their parents have, and good intentions aren’t enough to make the change. Equity work is about erasing disparities, and requires affirmative, systematic, and forward-thinking action.

Efficient, Responsive, and Fiscally Sustainable government operations are the hallmark of a strong and accountable local government, and the commissioners’ commitment to this principle is reflected in everything from the way that they manage our county’s more-than $2 billion budget, to the way that they recruit, retain, and take care of the best local government workforce in Ohio.

Protecting the natural resources that make our community beautiful and preserving them for future generations is just as important as things like promoting economic growth and operating a responsive local government. The commissioners are committed to providing good stewardship of the environment as well as management practices that will help ensure that our beautiful community stays that way for many years to come.

Ensuring that the Franklin County economy continues to thrive is one of the commissioners’ top priorities, but they also recognize that we’ll only be successful as a community when every Franklin County resident has the opportunity to benefit from that prosperity. Much of the work that the commissioners’ team focuses on is aimed at ensuring plentiful opportunities for employment, high quality education, workforce development, affordable housing, and the other things families need to get ahead.

At the core of the commissioners’ philosophy is an earnest effort to ensure that no one goes without essentials like food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, and that every Franklin County family has an opportunity to thrive. Health and Human Services encompass a wide range of services that are available throughout a resident’s lifetime and even before they are born. From efforts to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, to support that helps senior citizens maintain their independence so that they can “age in place,” the commissioners’ credo of Every Resident, Every Day informs the way that they provide all of their services for residents. Health and Human Services are largely provided by Franklin County’s Department of Job and Family Services, the Office on Aging, and the Child Support Enforcement Agency. More than 40% of all county expenditures support social, health, and human services for our residents.