Franklin County commissioners adopt new public‑records fee, approve contracts and claims; GLP‑1 benefit proposal tabled

Franklin County commissioners on June 10 adopted an ordinance updating fees for public‑records requests, approved several operational purchases and contracts, accepted monthly financial reports and claims, and voted to table a proposed change to employee health benefits involving GLP‑1 medications.

Sheriff Pete Kates told commissioners the updated fee ordinance, filed as Ordinance 2026‑07, reflects rising costs to process requests for law‑enforcement recordings, including body‑worn and vehicle camera footage that require time‑consuming redaction. "These funds will be going directly back into a fund to help maintain the cameras and the programming for that," Kates said, explaining that the fee revenue will support camera maintenance and related software.

Commissioners also approved a $5,912.71 purchase to add a safety/security module to the jail elevator. Kates said the elevator project has experienced repeated delays over several months and that the module is needed so the elevator can complete weight testing and obtain required federal licensing.

A bid for a new county phone system was approved after staff said a proposed vendor’s quote was cheaper than the county’s current providers. The board approved a contract with the vendor identified in the record as MDI; the quote discussed in the meeting was roughly $36,000 and staff said the new system would function independently from courthouse communications, reducing the risk of both buildings losing service simultaneously.

On financial business, the board approved the treasurer and clerk monthly reports and a claims register circulated at the meeting. The document referenced in the record cites a total of $19,799,173.15 in distributions, which auditors reviewed; commissioners voted to approve claims, payroll and payroll deductions.

The board tabled Amendment 18 to the county benefits plan, a proposal to add GLP‑1 medications for weight loss without a diabetes diagnosis. Staff estimated conservative annual costs in the range of about $200,000–$220,000 and recommended delaying action until renewal language can be drafted that would limit coverage based on medical recommendation, body‑mass index and comorbidities.

All motions recorded at the meeting were presented and passed by voice vote with no recorded dissents in the transcript. The board adjourned and noted a sewer board meeting would follow.

Actions and next steps recorded at the meeting included the implementation of Ordinance 2026‑07, procurement of the elevator module pending installation and testing, development of benefit‑renewal language for GLP‑1 coverage, and follow‑up on the phone‑system contract paperwork.