Franklin County commission approves early bond prepayment and emergency repairs for sheriff’s office

The Franklin County Commission approved two commission orders during its meeting: authorization to prepay a portion of the county’s 2018 certificate of participation (Commission Order 2025-302) and approval of emergency procurement for renovation and repairs to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (Commission Order 2025-303).

County staff described 2025-302 as an early payoff of bond principal associated with the 2018 certificate of participation and said the prepayment will be funded from Prop P. A county staff member told the commission the action requires signature on a set of documents that must be returned to the county’s bond counsel (Gilmore & Bell) and then transmitted to the trustee to complete the prepayment process.

Sheriff’s Office repairs were brought as an emergency procurement and renovation item under Commission Order 2025-303; commissioners voted to approve the emergency procurement and the renovation and repair work. The sheriff spoke during the discussion to thank staff and commissioners for the plan, calling the prepayment and repairs outcomes of “conservative decisions” and “hard work.”

Both commission orders passed on voice votes. Commissioners also approved minutes for the Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 budget meetings by voice vote earlier in the session. The meeting concluded shortly after the orders were adopted.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; the minutes reflect voice votes and the chair stated each motion “carries.” County staff indicated timing was sensitive for returning signed documents related to the bond prepayment.