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Meeker County adopts parks ordinance amendments and countywide tobacco‑free policy with June 1 start date
Summary
After a public hearing with no speakers, the Meeker County Board amended the parks ordinance to prohibit tobacco in county parks and adopted a countywide tobacco‑free policy covering buildings, grounds and vehicles, with misdemeanor penalties and an exception for private vehicles on county property.
Meeker County commissioners on May 6 opened and closed a public hearing and adopted amendments to the county parks ordinance that add tobacco products to the list of prohibited items in county parks. The board also approved a separate countywide tobacco‑free policy that bans tobacco use inside county-owned, leased and rented buildings, on county grounds and in county vehicles, effective June 1.
County Administrator Andrew Latson explained the proposed parks ordinance change and the companion policy for all other county properties. The parks change updates existing prohibitions (alcohol is already restricted at Lake Manuela Park) to also forbid cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, e-cigarettes, vaporizers and similar devices. Latson said the policy also bars gift or sponsorship acceptance from tobacco companies and asks employees, tenants and visitors not to loiter on neighboring properties or discard litter that reflects poorly on the county.
Latson said enforcement will rely primarily on staff and law enforcement asking individuals to leave property; the parks ordinance retains existing enforcement language (section 9) that makes violations a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $700 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both. The policy allows an exception for private vehicles on county property: occupants may use tobacco inside their private car in parking areas, but not while loitering outside the vehicle.
Commissioner Van Ort moved to adopt the parks ordinance amendment; Commissioner Oberg seconded. The board voted by roll call: Oberg (yes), Van Ort (yes), Psamke (aye), Schmidt (aye), Johnson (aye). The motion carried.
The board then voted to adopt the countywide tobacco‑free policy, also by voice vote; commissioners set an adoption date of June 1 to allow sign installation and staff notification. Latson said the county would publicize smoking cessation resources provided through the county health insurer to help employees and residents who wish to quit.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and the county reported it met statutory notice requirements prior to today’s public hearing.
