On Tuesday, the Franklin County Commissioners approved the budget for 2026. The $2.2 billion budget is smaller than past years, with commissioners saying this is the first time in more than a decade that they have had to make "implemented targeted reductions."
The reason for the cuts, commissioners cite, are the expiration of pandemic relief funds, rising inflation and uncertainty from the state and federal government.
The largest funding cuts are a 34% budget cut for community partnerships, a 33% cut for public facilities management and a 29% cut for economic development and planning. The commissioners also cut their own budget by 11%.
Some county agencies did receive increased funding. Sanitary engineering, the municipal court and the county engineer all received a boost in funding of at least 10%.
However, the majority of the county service budgets did not change significantly.
In a press release, Commissioner John O’Grady said the commissioners prioritized funding health and human services in the new budget.
“This budget honors our commitments to children, families, seniors, and residents facing crisis,” O’Grady said. “It strengthens the programs that matter most and ensures our agencies have the staff, tools, and resources needed to serve our most vulnerable neighbors with effectiveness and care.”
