Commissioners back men’s empowerment summit funding after staff cite high male suicide and substance‑use burdens

Franklin County commissioners voted Jan. 14 to authorize a $58,800 consultant agreement with Pioneer Engagement to plan and coordinate a men’s empowerment summit centered on mental wellness.

Deputy director David Kimbrell of the Men's Empowerment Unit described the summit's purpose and presented statistics intended to underscore local need. During the discussion a presenter said that "80 of all the deaths by suicide are committed by men" in Franklin County and cited coroner and substance‑use statistics describing a higher proportion of male deaths; the transcript does not attach a specific published source to those figures. Commissioners and county administration stressed the importance of targeting veterans, transitional youth and other groups and noted prior community engagement events that drew large participation.

D'Amica Withers, chief economic equity and inclusion officer, framed the summit as part of broader DEI work that supports county goals in the Rise Together poverty blueprint. County Administrator Ken Wilson described the initiative as "total wellness" work focused on improving opportunities for men to seek care and recovery resources; multiple commissioners praised the convening approach and urged tailored outreach for veterans and first‑responder populations.

The contract is intended to fund professional services for event strategy and coordination. The board voted to adopt Resolution 18‑25 unanimously. County staff said the summit will aim to reduce stigma and connect participants to mental‑health resources; specific performance metrics, long‑term budget commitments, and an explicit public data source for the statistics cited were not listed in the meeting record.

The next procedural step recorded in the meeting is execution of the consultant agreement and operational planning by the Men's Empowerment Unit and county DEI staff.