Ordinances & Resolutions

What is the difference between an Ordinance and a Resolution?

An ordinance is a law passed by the Village of Ashmore Board of Trustees. It spells out general, uniform, and permanent rules of conduct.

A resolution is generally less permanent than an ordinance. Its purpose is to conduct internal business or to express a policy or formal opinion in a nonbinding way. 

Hypothetically, if the Village wanted to create a law that required everyone to register their pets with the Village Superintendent (don't worry - we have no intention of doing that!), then the Board would have to pass an Ordinance to create the permanent, binding law. However, if the Village wanted to enter into a temporary agreement with the City of Oakland to purchase a piece of equipment together, or give Trustee Watson temporary authority to apply for a park grant on behalf of the Village, or declare January to be Clerk Appreciation month in Ashmore, then the Board would have to adopt a Resolution to formally express the will of the Board in a non-permanent matter.

How quickly are Ordinance and Resolutions passed after they are presented?

An ordinance is placed on file for at least 21 days, which allows the public time to become access it, ask questions, and voice concerns to the Trustees. On occasions when timing is crucial, such as for grant funding deadlines or State/Federal regulatory compliance, the Board may choose to waive this inspection period. In such cases, the Board must explicitly state that the inspection period is being waived AND the Trustees vote must be unanimously in agreement.

In contrast, a resolution may be adopted in the same meeting in which it is presented.