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Tiffin business owner presses council over 1973 taxi ordinance and licensing confusion
Summary
A local business owner challenged the city over conflicting messages about a 1973 taxi ordinance and whether for‑hire services can operate in Tiffin; the mayor and legal staff said licensing is required and council agreed to provide the ordinance text for review.
A business owner raised questions during public comment about whether a 1973 city ordinance bans taxi services in Tiffin and said prior letters from different mayors created contradictory expectations about whether he could open an office.
Citizen (Speaker 3) told the council he received a letter from a former mayor saying he was not allowed to operate a taxi service and later saw another company operating in town. He asked "Who makes these ordinances? Who can override these ordinances? Who can change them? And who has to abide by them?" and said he was confused by inconsistent guidance.
Mayor (Speaker 1) and legal staff responded that the ordinance’s rules concern licensing: "The ordinance states that an unlicensed... it talks about the application process," the mayor said, noting a for‑hire business must complete the city application, pay the annual application fee and meet insurance requirements. Legal staff (Speaker 2) confirmed an access/for‑hire service can apply to operate in Tiffin and a city license is required.
No formal action or amendment to the ordinance was made at the meeting. Councilmember (Speaker 7) requested a copy of the taxi ordinance; the mayor said he would provide a link to the online ordinance for councilmembers and the public to review. The council said it would examine whether ordinance language needs clarification.
What’s next: staff will provide access to the ordinance online and the council may consider clarifying or amending the 1973 ordinance if needed.
