FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SELECT JOHN O’GRADY AS BOARD PRESIDENT FOR 2026

At their first meeting of the year, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners selected Commissioner John O’Grady to serve as President of the Board for 2026.

Each year, the Commissioners choose one of their own to serve as Board President, a role that includes presiding over weekly General Session and Briefing meetings and serving as the primary spokesperson for the Board at community events, meetings, and with the media. The Board of Commissioners is the administrative arm of Franklin County government, overseeing county agencies and adopting a budget which exceeds $2 billion.

As President, Commissioner O’Grady will focus on advancing affordable housing, economic development, and workforce development, with a strong emphasis on supporting local entrepreneurs through the County’s Office of Economic Engagement and Community Development. His priorities also include maintaining fiscal responsibility during challenging economic times and working closely with community partners to ensure critical resources are delivered to residents who need them most.

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for the opportunity to lead the Board this year,” said Commissioner O’Grady. “Franklin County continues to grow and evolve, and with that growth comes great responsibility. My focus will be on making thoughtful, fiscally sound decisions that expand access to affordable housing, strengthen our workforce, and support the small businesses and entrepreneurs who drive our local economy. By working closely with our community partners, we can ensure resources are used wisely and reach residents where they can make the greatest impact.”

In addition to his local leadership, Commissioner O’Grady is actively engaged at the national level through the National Association of Counties (NACo). He serves on NACo’s Board of Directors, is a member of the Large Urban County Caucus, and is currently Vice-Chair of the Finance, Pensions and Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, positions that help elevate Franklin County’s voice on federal policy and funding issues affecting counties nationwide.

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners holds General Session meetings each Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and Briefing meetings each Thursday at 9:00 a.m. All meetings are open to the public and available online.

Meeting information and access details can be found at: www.commissioners.franklincountyohio.gov/public-meetings.

A full biography of Commissioner O’Grady is available here.