Winneshiek County Board officially receives proposed ATV/UTV ordinance

Backers of a proposed ordinance which would allow ATVs/UTVs to operate all year in Winneshiek County Monday morning officially presented their proposal to Winneshiek County supervisors.

Adam Thornton and Jeremy Bjerke officially presented a petition with 1,505 signatures from people in support of such an ordinance in Winneshiek County. 

Under the proposed ordinance, the vehicles could drive on gravel roads from sunrise to sunset.  The ATVs and UTVs would be allowed to travel paved county roads just in order to reach other gravel roads.  All operators would have to have a driver's license.

Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan Marx told supervisors he did not oppose the ordinance, although he said the speed limit of 35 miles an hour for the vehicles might create problems with dust.

Much of the discussion centered on the Iowa DNR registration fees for such vehicles.  Only $1.50 per registration charge is returned to local counties.  County officials noted that ATV/UTV use would increase the use of roads and the need for road maintenance, as well as law enforcement.

County supervisors are getting input on the proposal from county department heads, including the County Attorney, County Engineer and the county's insurance carrier.