Franklin County Commissioners Hold Weekly Briefing; City Council Advances Safety and Immigration Legislation

Franklin County Commissioners Convene Briefing Session; Council Safety Ordinances Take Center Stage

The political landscape in Columbus remains active today, Thursday, February 26, 2026, as county leaders meet to finalize legislative priorities and city officials follow up on a series of significant policy shifts approved earlier this week. With the 2026 fiscal year in full swing, today’s government activities focus on administrative oversight and the finalization of long-term community safety investments.

Franklin County Board of Commissioners Briefing

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners is convening at 9:00 a.m. today for its weekly Briefing Session. Located on the 26th floor of the Franklin County Office Tower at 373 South High Street, this public meeting allows the commissioners to review resolutions and receive updates from various county departments ahead of the upcoming General Session. Today’s agenda highlights the ongoing transition of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging into a stand-alone Regional Council of Governments, a move designed to expand the reach and impact of senior services throughout Central Ohio by the end of the year. The briefing also serves as a forum for commissioners to discuss infrastructure maintenance and public health funding before formal votes are cast next Tuesday.

City Council Legislative Update: Immigration and Public Safety

While the Columbus City Council does not hold a full legislative floor session today, the city’s political conversation is dominated by the implementation of a high-profile legislative package passed on Monday. Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans and Councilmember Lourdes Barroso de Padilla successfully advanced several ordinances designed to protect Columbus workers and families. These include:

• Ordinance 0515-2026: This measure prohibits the Columbus Police Department from entering into 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), preventing local law enforcement from being deputized for federal immigration tasks.
• Ordinance 0518-2026: This ordinance bars city employees from seeking secondary employment with federal agencies like ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• Ordinance 0519-2026: This legislation increases penalties for harassing or obstructing behaviors at schools and daycare centers, ensuring that educational environments remain safe zones for all residents.

2026 Operating Budget and Housing Bond

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s $1.26 billion operating budget for 2026 continues its final journey through the committee review process this week. The budget prioritizes a historic $852 million investment in safety services, including funding for new police recruit classes and a fire academy. Additionally, the administration is moving forward with a $500 million affordable housing bond intended to fund thousands of units across the city's commercial corridors. Council is expected to finalize these fiscal measures in the coming days as they prepare the official agenda for the next full session on March 2.