Ashland County board approves CDBG planning grant application, public participation plan and routine resolutions

The Ashland County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 20 approved multiple motions to begin grant work and pass routine resolutions, including authorization to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) planning grant to update the county comprehensive plan and approval of the associated public participation plan required for the grant application.

CDBG planning grant: County staff estimated the comprehensive plan update will cost about $70,000–$75,000 and said the CDBG program can provide up to 50% of the project cost. The board approved beginning the CDBG planning grant application process and a later resolution will be required to finalize the application if staff proceeds. The board also approved a public participation plan that, as the county’s grant writer clarified, is the document assuring the CDBG administrator that the county will meet required public‑participation steps in the application.

Other routine approvals and appointments: The board approved a master hangar lease for the airport (noting the city council had already approved the document), adopted the 2025 fire warden list (a statutory requirement), and appointed Charlie Ortman as a non‑voting citizen member of the county planning committee. The board also approved a resolution honoring longtime Human Services employee Jerry Essela and approved minutes of the Nov. 20, 2024 meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve applying for a CDBG planning grant to update the comprehensive plan: approved (motion and second recorded; voice vote). Note in discussion: estimated plan cost $70,000–$75,000; CDBG may cover up to 50%. - Resolution approving the public participation plan for the CDBG grant (RO2 20 25-14 95 as read in the transcript): approved (motion and second recorded; voice vote). County grant writer Erica Henical clarified the plan is required for the application. - Resolution honoring Jerry Essela (R02 20 25-14 90 6 as read in the transcript): approved (motion and second; voice vote). Board members praised Essela’s service and asked that the resolution be mailed to him. - Approve 2025 Fire Warden list (statutory requirement): approved (motion and second; voice vote). - Appointment of Charlie Ortman as a non‑voting planning committee member: approved (motion and second; voice vote). Ortman previously worked on the county’s prior comprehensive plan and serves on the Ashland City Council. - Approve master hangar lease for the airport (joint city/county facility): approved (motion and second; voice vote). Board noted the city council had already approved the lease. - Approve minutes of Nov. 20, 2024 meeting: approved (motion and second; voice vote).

Ending: Several of these items (notably the CDBG planning grant and its public participation plan) will require follow‑up steps by county staff, and additional resolutions are expected as the application process proceeds.