Franklin County Media

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners kicked off 2025 with their first general session of the year, setting the tone for progress and collaboration. Commissioner Erica Crawley was elected as the Board President, making history as the first African American woman to serve in this role. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners kicked off 2025 with their first general session of the year, mark...

What are some of the best practices for disposing of holiday decorations like Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands? How can communities encourage proper disposal to facilitate recycling? I'm your host, Kenneth Wilson, and today we’re diving into the festive season with a green twist. We're joined by Joe Lombardi, CEO of the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), to unpack valuable insigh...

This week, the Franklin County Commissioners approved the 2025 budget, which exceeds $2.2 billion, underscoring their commitment to ensuring that residents not only survive but thrive. This budget goes beyond the numbers—it illustrates how the county is strategically investing resources to meet the needs of its residents and strengthen the community. As the administrative arm of local government,...

This session highlights Franklin County’s dedication to environmental sustainability, civic engagement, and good governance. Learn about projects and programs that demonstrate stewardship and strengthen the connection between residents and local government.

In this episode, the Board of Commissioners dives into Franklin County’s commitment to advancing racial equity. Hear how the 2025 budget reflects targeted investments in programs and initiatives that promote equity and fairness across all sectors of the community.

Explore how Franklin County is fostering economic growth and ensuring fiscal security in 2025. This episode showcases strategies for job creation, economic development, and maintaining fiscal stability, with a focus on uplifting businesses and residents alike.

This session highlights Franklin County’s efforts to strengthen safety, security, and justice for residents in 2025. Learn about innovative diversion and reentry programs, victim support initiatives, and incident response strategies designed to build trust and resilience in our community.

In this episode, listen to Franklin County’s 2025 Budget Hearing focusing on Supportive Health and Human Services. Hear how the county is addressing service delivery challenges, advancing early learning initiatives, and investing in health programs to create a stronger and more equitable community.

Discover how Franklin County is transforming its core principles into action during the opening session of the 2025 Budget Hearings. With a $2.2 billion budget, the county is prioritizing Health & Human Services, Community Safety, Racial Equity, Environmental Sustainability, and Economic Development. This episode features presentations by County Administrator Ken Wilson and Deputy County Admin...

This special episode brings you the full 2025 Budget Hearings and the final approval session in one comprehensive package. At nearly five hours, this compilation covers everything from Health & Human Services to Environmental Sustainability, Racial Equity, Economic Development, and more. Dive into the details of Franklin County’s $2.2 billion budget and see how the commissioners are creating a...

In the final General Session of 2024, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners approved the more-than $2.2 billion 2025 budget , focused on community safety, economic development, health and human services, and more. Rooted in the commissioners’ Core Principles of Good Governance, this balanced and forward-thinking budget underscores their commitment to ensuring Franklin County remains a place w...

This episode highlights challenges like the aging workforce, transient populations, and lack of child care workers in Midland County. What innovative solutions can communities implement to address similar workforce issues? Kenneth Wilson welcomes Bridgette Gransden, the County Administrator for Midland County, Michigan. They discuss Dow's significant Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, inclu...

"Leveraging AI for a Better World": "This is a, area of technology that everyone is is looking at and saying, how can we make the world better, and how can we work together to make the world better in a reliable way?" - Rita Reynolds In this episode of "Talk Of The County," host Kenneth Wilson engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Rita Reynolds , the Chief Information Officer for the Nati...

Inspiring Youth With Personal Experience: "Just because you start a certain way doesn't mean you have to finish this way." - Antonio Gordon We're thrilled to bring you Antonio Gordon, an inspiring community leader dedicated to youth development and community progress. In This Episode: Reflections in Basketball: Antonio Gordon shares memories of playing with and admiring basketball talents. He talk...

We have a very special guest, Michael Bivens, also known as "Juss Mikey." Born in Columbus and educated at North Carolina A&T, Michael's journey from a kinesiology degree holder to a vibrant entertainment personality is nothing short of inspiring. We'll explore how his early passion for hosting events shaped his career, the influence of his HBCU experience on his personal and professional grow...

"One Franklin County Initiative" is a project aimed at transforming the government experience by simplifying access to services for residents and businesses. We explore how Franklin County plans to overhaul their complex web presence into a streamlined, user-friendly platform. Our guest, Adam Frumkin, Chief Information Officer (CIO) Franklin County Data Center and Juan Torres, the Franklin County...

In this episode of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners General Session, the commissioners welcomed guests from SAFER Station and SMRT Columbus to highlight the significance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Digital Inclusion Week . The board also addressed a wide range of resolutions covering infrastructure improvements, mental health services, diversity initiatives, and economic develop...

In this episode of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners General Session, we celebrate Stormwater Awareness Week and recognize Hispanic Heritage Month while focusing on key resolutions. The board addresses affordable housing, public health, economic development, and social programs for families, refugees, and justice-involved individuals. Resolutions Discussed: Drainage Engineer • Reso. No. 0...

We sit down with Anthony Trotman, Deputy County Manager of Consolidated Health and Human Services for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Join us as we talk with Anthony about his extensive career, from his beginnings in St. Augustine, Florida, to his impactful work in health and human services. We discuss the challenges of leading in one of North Carolina's most populous counties, the importance...

In this episode of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners General Session, the commissioners tackle key resolutions aimed at boosting immigrant and refugee services, empowering minority businesses, and enhancing public safety. Special guests include US Together Inc. to discuss the Central Ohio Welcoming Plan and Experience Columbus on promoting local tourism. The board also approves a range of...

What are the main benefits of incorporating real-world exposure and continuous learning opportunities, such as college tours and conferences, into youth programs? We learn about the inspiring world of education with special guests Tei Street and Logan Booker. Hear more about the profound impact mentors like Mr. Muir have had on students, the transformative role of programs like Pathways to Progres...

In this episode of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners General Session, we welcome guests from the Urban ROOTS program, which provides Franklin County youth with career pathways in food, agriculture, and technology. The commissioners also tackle a variety of resolutions addressing economic development, affordable housing, public safety, and community health. Resolutions Voted On: Coroner •...

In this episode of our Lunch & Learn series, presented by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners’ Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we are joined by Jess Fannin, Manager of the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition (FCSPC). In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Jess offers invaluable insights into understanding and addressing mental health and suic...

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners is back in session after a late summer recess! In this episode, we reflect on National Child Support Awareness Month and dive into a packed agenda of key resolutions impacting our community. From infrastructure improvements and public safety initiatives to home repair programs and board appointments, this meeting addresses crucial county matters. Stay tun...

In what ways did Michael Doss handle financial responsibility during and after his professional career, and what lessons can young athletes learn from his experiences? We've got a unique treat for you as Kenneth Wilson sits down with special guest, Michael Doss, to talk about his riveting career that spans from the football field to the boardroom. Michael recounts his storied college football care...