Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Domestic Violence Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin County directs marriage and divorce fees to local domestic-violence shelter
Summary
The Board approved Resolution 77025 to allocate fees collected from marriage licenses and divorce actions to CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, Inc. Commissioners and shelter leadership highlighted services funded by the allocation and community outreach during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
President Crowley marked October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and noted a small fee collected on marriage licenses and divorce actions helps fund local domestic violence prevention and supportive services in Franklin County. He introduced Dr. Maria Houston Beck of CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, who accepted the county allocation and described the organization’s services.
Dr. Maria Houston Beck, executive director of CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence, said the agency operates a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter and advocacy services, and that the county’s investment helps provide safety planning and pathways to shelter for people in crisis. “Because of your investment, hundreds…have found safety, stability, and a renewed sense of hope through our 24 hour crisis hotline and information line, emergency shelter, and advocacy services,” she said.
Zach Tularik of the Office of Management and Budget summarized Resolution 77025, which would apply a $17 fee for each marriage license and a $32 fee for each divorce action to Choices. He reported that in 2024 the county passed along $263,000 to CHOICES under the same arrangement and asked the board to approve the 2026 allocation.
A motion to adopt Resolution 77025 was moved and seconded. The roll call recorded Commissioner Boyce voting “Yes” and President Crowley voting “Yes.” The resolution was adopted.
The presentation also noted community outreach events tied to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and an invitation to a county-hosted panel on costs and responses, including an event at Linden Recreation Center at 11 a.m. The speakers urged residents who need help to contact CHOICES’ 24-hour hotline (phone number excerpted in the record).
