Candidate for Ashland County Commissioner Raises Concerns Over County Spending, Calls for Greater Transparency
ASHLAND — Brandon Carpenter, a candidate for Ashland County Commissioner, is speaking out about what he describes as wasteful government spending and a lack of transparency, citing concerns he says were raised repeatedly by county residents during the early weeks of his campaign.
In a series of Facebook posts made between January 13 and January 16, Carpenter detailed his views following his attendance at an Ashland County Coalition meeting at the Sheriff’s Office Annex, as well as his ongoing review of expenditures related to the Ashland County Dog Shelter.
Carpenter said he attended the January 13 meeting and listened as another individual announced their candidacy for county commissioner. Following the meeting, Carpenter emphasized the importance of transparency in county government.
“The word ‘transparency’ does not annoy me. We need more transparency in county government,” Carpenter wrote. “I’ll never suggest it’s up to the general public, on their own, to seek that information out. If elected, I fully intend to use the power of social media, and other media outlets, to share the business of the county with the public.”
Carpenter added that he believes “common sense” leadership is needed at the county level.
On January 15, Carpenter addressed concerns he said were shared with him by residents regarding the Ashland County Dog Shelter. Carpenter said he recently visited the shelter unannounced and was given a tour by kennel manager Shannon Hamilton.
According to Carpenter, Hamilton outlined several positive operational changes that have been implemented since the shelter opened. Carpenter said he was impressed by the dedication of shelter staff and volunteers and described Hamilton as “passionate about dogs and an animal lover.”
Carpenter said one of the primary issues he identified was the lack of air conditioning in three canine pods within the shelter. While the rest of the facility is air-conditioned, Carpenter said Hamilton explained the current air filtration system is incompatible with air conditioning in those areas.
Drawing on his own building experience, Carpenter said he believes air conditioning could be added to the dog pods for approximately $15,000 and indicated he is open to further discussion on the matter.
Carpenter also shared cost figures related to the shelter’s construction, stating that the total building cost was $3,552,281.35. He said community donations totaled $637,962, leaving $2,884,319.35 paid by Ashland County taxpayers. Carpenter noted that approximately $933,134.10 of the funding have come from American Rescue Plan Act funds, which he said still represents taxpayer money.
“I’m astounded — and for a building that remains incomplete,” Carpenter wrote.
He further highlighted what he described as excessive costs for an outside storage shed at the shelter, noting that payments totaled $16,500 for a 12-by-24-foot structure. Carpenter said he found similar sheds priced between $7,000 and $10,000.
In a follow-up post on January 16, Carpenter said his review of shelter-related expenditures continued, focusing on costs outside the original construction bid. He cited landscaping and gravel expenses totaling $16,161.74, which included 73 tons of gravel, plantings, trees, and lawn seeding.
Carpenter said that based on current market prices and his own cost estimates, the gravel and labor would amount to approximately $4,647, compared to the $11,051.64 paid for gravel spreading at the shelter.
“My research continues, as promised,” Carpenter wrote. “There is more to come — I’m just getting started.”
Throughout his posts, Carpenter reiterated his campaign message: “Let’s bring common sense back to Ashland County.”
