Ashland County committee approves ordinance draft to govern tax-deed sales, sets firm 120-day redemption window

The Ashland County Zoning and Land Committee voted March 18 to send a draft ordinance on the sale and distribution of proceeds from tax-deed and land sales to the full county board for approval, after a prolonged discussion over redemption timelines, title-report procedures and how the county collects interest and staff-cost reimbursements on special assessments placed on tax rolls.

The ordinance draft, presented to the committee by county zoning staff, sets a process for county acquisition of tax-deeded land, ordering title reports, and listing property for sale. Committee member Pat Kenny raised repeated concerns that the county must be reimbursed for staff time and expenses when cities place special assessments (for example, unpaid water bills or street assessments) on the county tax roll.

"Once they transfer to the county, then we have control, and that's 18%," Pat Kenny said, referring to the interest and penalty assessed after a special assessment is placed on the county tax roll. Kenny said the county should ensure its costs and staff time are paid "before that is considered paid."

Carisha Flint, zoning administrative assistant, told the committee she incorporated prior revisions into the ordinance draft and said she would correct a separate procedural issue with meeting materials. "I will make sure that moving forward, it is it matches the county board agendas, and the links are available," Flint said during the public-comment exchange about meeting access.

Committee members debated several timeline items in the ordinance: a 60-day initial period for certain notifications, a 90-day window for a title-report request, a 30-day window tied to returning a title report, and an overall 120-day limit the committee discussed as a simpler reference point. Several members argued for using the county's acquisition date as the single reference so property owners know they have 120 days from that date to order a title search and pay liens.

The draft also references a 180-day maximum before the county must place a property for sale and requires listing tax-deeded properties on the Multiple Listing Service; committee members said state law requires MLS listing and that the county has adopted a policy to list with a licensed real estate broker.

After discussion and a brief exchange about practical workflow, Pat Kenny moved to forward the ordinance to the full county board with suggested edits; Gary Eder seconded the motion. The committee chair called the vote and the motion passed.

Committee members also set a next meeting primarily to discuss properties flagged for foreclosure and properties the county already owns that need listing. The committee scheduled the next meeting for April 15 to review valuations and discuss which properties to pursue for foreclosure or sale.

The meeting included routine approvals: the committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the Feb. 11, 2025 Zoning and Land Committee meeting. The committee adjourned at the end of its agenda.

Votes at a glance: The committee recorded a unanimous approval to forward the ordinance draft to the full county board, a unanimous approval of the meeting agenda, and a unanimous approval of the Feb. 11 minutes. Specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.