County staff reported permit revenue totals and a modest uptick in new construction during the Aug. 5 Ashland County Zoning and Land Committee meeting.

A staff member summarized the permit receipts: "Looks like we brought in $14,645" for June 2025, which included 21 building permits, 8 sanitary permits, 4 non-plumbing permits and 7 grading permits, and "for July 2025, it is grand total of 11,140" (16 building permits, 10 sanitary, 1 non-plumbing and 3 grading permits). The staff member said the figures are generally "on track" with previous years.

Committee members discussed the county’s net new construction rate. One staff member told the committee the county’s new construction rate "for the current year is double than what it was last year. So we're at 1.15%." Members discussed density trade-offs — smaller lots versus 40-acre parcels — and noted that higher density could preserve open space and support future property-tax growth.

The permit and construction data framed later conversation about delinquent properties and the county’s plan to return tax-delinquent parcels to the tax rolls, either through sale, coordinated city action, or targeted demolition where necessary.