County mulls panhandling ordinance
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed, however did not vote on a new panhandling ordinance. At the February 23, 2021 meeting, the board agreed that they will create a solid plan to limit the areas in which panhandling will be allowed. The main issue to consider carefully is that such an ordinance may be unconstitutional. Panhandling and begging, like other forms of charitable solicitation, is a form of protected speech that occurs in a public forum such as sidewalk spaces.