In the January 14, 2025, General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners recognized the achievements of state champion athletes from fall 2024, showcasing their dedication and success.

Key Highlights:

• President Erica Crawley commends the athletes’ resilience and leadership.

• Reflections from Commissioners Kevin Boyce and John O’Grady on sports as a foundation for personal and community growth.

• Linda Logan (Greater Columbus Sports Commission) and Doug Ute (OHSAA) highlight the broader impact of youth sports.

Recognized Teams:

• Bexley High School Girls Tennis

• Columbus Academy Girls Golf

• Thomas Worthington Field Hockey

• New Albany Boys Soccer

• Olentangy Liberty Football

• Bishop Watterson Girls Soccer

• Bishop Watterson Football

Tune in to celebrate these champions and learn how sports help shape future leaders.

In the January 14, 2025, General Session, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners balanced celebrating fall 2024 state champion athletes with advancing resolutions for community progress.

📌 Key Topics Discussed:

• Recognizing state champion teams from across Franklin County, including Bexley, Columbus Academy, Thomas Worthington, New Albany, Olentangy Liberty, and Bishop Watterson.

• Approving community partnerships with Columbus Humane and OSU Extension.

• Advancing transportation safety projects and road improvements.

• Supporting diversity and empowerment initiatives like the SPARK program and Men’s Summit.

• Leadership Remarks: Commissioners emphasized collaboration, equity, and Franklin County’s commitment to being a steady hand for residents.

Tune in to learn how Franklin County is creating opportunities, celebrating excellence, and building a brighter future for all.

In the first general session of 2025, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners elected Erica Crawley as Board President, marking her second time in the role. Commissioner Crawley emphasized the county’s commitment to being a steady hand for residents, opening opportunities to ensure everyone can thrive—not just survive.

This session also welcomed Prosecutor Shayla Favor, who made history as the first woman and Black person elected as Franklin County Prosecutor. Favor shared her vision for balancing public safety with systemic reform to build a more equitable justice system.

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, marking a moment of progress and historic leadership. Commissioner Erica C. Crawley was elected as Board President for the second time, having previously held the role in 2023.

President Crawley remains the first Black woman to serve as both a Commissioner and President of the Board in Franklin County, leading with a vision to ensure every resident can thrive—not just survive.

This historic meeting also welcomed Prosecutor Shayla Favor, the first woman and Black person elected as Franklin County Prosecutor, who shared her commitment to balancing public safety with systemic justice reform.

During the session, President Crawley, joined by Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce and Commissioner John O'Grady, emphasized the county’s role as a steady hand for its residents, focusing on creating opportunities that uplift all communities.

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 insights on holiday waste management and sustainability. Whether it's the disposal of your Christmas tree, handling feast leftovers, or recycling those pesky non-working holiday lights, Joe has practical tips to keep your celebrations eco-friendly. We'll also explore SWACO's various initiatives, from illegal dumping prevention to community education and innovative recycling programs that turn waste into opportunity.

Plus, Joe shares personal anecdotes from his gridiron days, offers a sneak peek into upcoming projects, and even reveals his favorite pizza topping combo.

Key Moments

00:00 SWACO manages waste and recycling in Ohio.

08:07 Avoid hazardous waste; recycle at designated center.

12:48 Put yard waste curbside; mulched or composted.

17:35 Hannah leads recycling advocacy and education efforts.

24:31 Landfill methane converted to revenue-generating clean energy.

30:44 Urban landfill occupies 200+ usable acres, unique partnership.

33:37 Collaborative planning for sustainable economic development.

39:03 Recycling fuels economic growth and high demand.

49:09 Reuse leftovers by freezing or sharing creatively.

52:52 State championship was more fun than college.

01:00:19 Recycle electronics at Best Buy, recycling centers.

01:04:36 Educating kids on recycling and environmental conservation.

01:07:19 Building more interactive education center for kids.

01:16:13 Community effort, collaboration, promoting doing the right thing.

01:17:37 Community collaboration vital for waste management branding.

Top Takeaways

Holiday Waste Management: Real Christmas trees, wreaths, and garlands should be disposed of with yard waste to be turned into mulch. Non-working string lights should be taken to specified recycling centers.

Recycling Initiatives: Ongoing educational efforts emphasize community recycling. New materials, like clamshell containers and yogurt cups, are now recyclable, but Solo cups are not.

Yard Waste Handling: Leaves and yard waste should be collected in marked cans or bags for proper collection. Home composting is encouraged over burning yard waste to avoid methane gas production.

Illegal Dumping: Improper tire disposal and illegal dumping are significant issues. SWACO partners with local authorities to address and prosecute these environmental crimes. Liberty Tire helps recycle used tires into chips.

Landfill Methane Capture: SWACO captures and converts landfill methane gas to natural gas through a partnership with Arkea Energy, contributing to revenue and supporting regional economic development.

Community Programs and Education: Programs like "Recycle Right" and "Save More Than Food" focus on educating the public about recycling and reducing food waste. SWACO offers grants to communities and events for recycling efforts.

Future Development and Economic Opportunities: Available land ready for development supports sustainable economic projects. There are efforts to attract businesses aligned with regional and environmental goals.

Landfill Management: SWACO has expanded landfills to ensure capacity through 2062, but continued population growth could alter this timeline. Challenges include limited available land and community opposition.

Innovative Recycling: Initiatives like plastic bread tabs repurposed as countertops show innovative recycling efforts. Companies like ADS heavily invest in plastic recycling, showcasing the potential of recycled materials in various industries.

SWACO's Educational Initiatives: SWACO plans to open an interactive education center and continues to engage communities through landfill tours, interactive displays, and webinars on sustainable practices.

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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, the commissioners oversee 15 county agencies and establish the budget for all county offices, elected officials, and agencies. County Administrator Kenneth N. Wilson presented the proposed 2025 budget during the first hearing on November 14th.

"Our budget is a statement of what we value and prioritize as a county. Each year, the commissioners' office build the budget around our core principles of good governance, which emphasize a human-centered approach to public service," said Board of Commissioners President Kevin L. Boyce. "Whether it's supporting public safety, fostering economic growth, or advancing health, human services, and sustainability, the 2025 budget represents our commitment to creating a thriving Franklin County where families and businesses can flourish."

Franklin County officials also highlighted the use of more than $429 million in federal COVID-19 support funds received since 2020. These funds were vital in addressing immediate pandemic challenges while laying the groundwork for future stability and growth. The funding breakdown includes $8 million from the FEMA Fund for emergency response costs, $76 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund for urgent relief, and $89 million in Emergency Rental Assistance to stabilize housing. The largest allocation, $256 million from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund, was dedicated to addressing long-term systemic challenges and building resilience in the community.

"The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have been a vital resource in helping Franklin County navigate the challenges of the pandemic while also building a stronger future," said Commissioner John O'Grady. "From addressing food insecurity to expanding mental health services and supporting childcare providers, these investments reflect our commitment to meeting residents' immediate needs and driving long-term community growth."

These federal funds have supported several transformative programs and projects, including the RISE Childcare Recovery Initiative, which helped childcare providers and ensured access for working families. Investments in the North Market Mixed-Use Project have expanded the economic impact of this iconic Columbus landmark.

Other initiatives include support for the CHOICES shelter for domestic violence survivors, addressing food insecurity through the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, and contributing to the construction of the Franklin County Crisis Care Center, a state-of-the-art facility to serve as the central, preferred destination in Franklin County for behavioral health crisis needs. These efforts reflect the county's ongoing commitment to addressing immediate community needs while fostering a stronger, more resilient future.

"These investments have been pivotal in addressing Franklin County's most urgent needs and laying the groundwork for lasting change," Commissioner Erica C. Crawley said. "From ensuring working families have access to childcare to expanding mental health services, these initiatives reflect our ongoing dedication to creating a stronger, more resilient Franklin County."

The 2025 Franklin County Budget demonstrates the importance of local government investing in its community to ensure long-term success. Budgets are not just financial documents—they represent the priorities, values, and commitments that drive the decisions and actions that shape the county's future.

The entire 2025 budget can be found at budget.franklincountyohio.gov.

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.