ASHLAND — Ashland County commissioners are seeking bids to build a new administration building they estimate will cost $7 million.
The board approved the idea on Thursday, adding it will be paid for from already saved funds — meaning no borrowed money.
“We are out of debt. We want to stay that way,” Commissioner Denny Bittle said.
The building will house the auditor’s office, treasurer’s office, recorder’s office and tax map office. Those entities now have offices inside the Ashland County Courthouse.
It will be built at 345 Cottage St., a grassy lot between First Presbyterian Church and Come Alive Community Church.
Bids are being accepted until Feb. 12 at 9 a.m.
The project to move those offices has been in the works for over two years, Bittle said. Commissioners purchased the lot in October 2024.
Commissioner Michael Welch said commissioners received letters from the judges two years ago requesting the courthouse only house court-related offices.
Welch also said the move enhances safety at the courthouse, ensuring only persons with court-related business are in the building.
Bittle said there will be future building renovations inside the courthouse. But there are no definitive plans yet, besides incorporating small meeting rooms, he said.
“One of the shortcomings of that building now is if you have to go to court, you have to stay in the hall and talk to your client, the attorney does. And so the new remodel has individual small/medium rooms where they can meet,” Welch said.
The design for that remodel is underway, but Welch said commissioners won’t fund it unless they have the money for it.