Committee votes to forward parking ordinance to county board after sheriff’s request

The Ashland County Executive Committee voted June 25 to forward a court-counsel–drafted parking ordinance to the full county board for approval after a discussion prompted by the sheriff's office.

The ordinance is intended to codify where parking is allowed and prohibited on county roads and property, empower enforcement through tickets and towing, and clarify exceptions such as long-term contractor needs when the county board approves a project. Committee members asked practical questions about towing, storage fees, and who is responsible for towing and storage costs; members concluded the sheriff's office would respond to private-property complaints and tow vehicles according to standard practice.

Mr. Sutter Holm moved to approve sending the ordinance to the county board; Clarence Scampell seconded the motion and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The committee noted that any ordinance must be published before it takes effect and that larger projects (over the county's statutory procurement threshold) would afford the county an opportunity to authorize contractor parking when the board approves contracts. The ordinance will appear on the full county board agenda for further consideration and formal adoption.