Capital Outlay Committee approves sign restrictions for CCAP Building; forwards ordinance to full commission

The Coffee County Capital Outlay Committee on June 4 approved forwarding a local ordinance to the full commission that would restrict political campaign signs at the CCAP (county administrative) building.

Chair stated the proposed rules would confine signs to a designated grassy area at the CCAP Building, limit any single sign to 16 square feet, allow posting only within 30 days before a countywide election day, and require removal within seven days after the election. "Only candidates whose names are on the ballot of the next actual election day are allowed to have a sign posted at the CCAP facility," the Chair said, summarizing the draft policy.

Committee members discussed enforcement and noted that the voter registration packet already designates sign areas; maintenance staff said their current practice is to remove improperly placed signs to the back lot and notify owners to pick them up. One member argued seven days post-election is a reasonable retrieval window to avoid extra maintenance charges; another expressed concern about posting timelines on private property but agreed the CCAP restriction is appropriate for county property.

A motion to advance the sign policy as an ordinance passed in committee and will be sent to the full commission for consideration. Chair said the committee voted in favor with one recorded dissenting vote.

Next steps: the ordinance will be presented to the full commission for a vote; committee staff will circulate the finalized draft in the commission packet.