Ashland County committee opens review of vehicle-use policy for summer hires, volunteers and interlock rules

The Ashland County Executive Committee on June 25 opened a review of a long-dormant vehicle-use policy after a department asked whether a 17-year-old could be hired for summer work in the highway department.

Committee members said the draft policy, originally circulated in 2019, currently requires drivers to be at least 18 with two years' driving experience — a standard that would exclude many typical summer hires. Members agreed heavy equipment and any vehicle requiring a commercial driver's license remain restricted by age and CDL rules, but they asked staff to examine whether the two-year experience requirement should be relaxed for limited pickup-truck use by summer employees.

The committee flagged multiple policy gaps they want clarified before any change: how probationary or graduated licenses limit who minors may transport; whether employees or volunteers operating county vehicles must show proof of insurance; how court-ordered interlock devices on personal vehicles affect the ability to use county vehicles; and how the county defines "official county business" for employees who take county vehicles home.

Sue, who oversees payroll reporting, told the group that employees who take county vehicles home turn in an annual mileage report that is treated as a taxable benefit and reported on their W-2, and the committee asked for the most recent reports to inform revisions. Several members recommended consulting department heads — sheriff, highway, social services, and others — about department-specific practices.

The committee did not vote on policy changes but directed staff to return with recommendations and legal/insurance clarifications. The next executive meeting will include follow-up items on the vehicle policy; the committee also asked staff to check whether volunteers driving county vehicles should be required to provide proof of insurance or meet the same standards as employees.