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Columbus council approves $2 million payment to Franklin County jail amid ICE policy concerns
Summary
The Columbus City Council approved a $2,000,000 payment to the Franklin County sheriff’s office for housing city prisoners after weeks of review and public testimony raising concerns about the county jail’s interactions with federal immigration authorities. Advocates urged the council to withhold funds until policies change; council members said the city is contractually obligated to pay for services already rendered.
The Columbus City Council voted to authorize $2,000,000 to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office to cover housing of city prisoners, a move that drew sustained debate over county jail policies and possible cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Committee chair (Public Safety and Criminal Justice) opened the discussion by saying the ordinance had been referred back to committee earlier to allow time for questions about notification of federal immigration authorities. She said the pause allowed meaningful dialogue with the county and the sheriff’s office and that the vote would “allow the city to function while that conversation continues.”
A representative from the city attorney’s office explained the legal and contractual…
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