The Cass County Board of Supervisors held discussion for about an hour today (Wednesday), with a full crowd in attendance, with regard to a proposed ATV/UTV Ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to set the regulations regarding the operation of all-terrain vehicles and/or off-road utility vehicles on county roadways designated by the Cass County Board of Supervisors. It would not change the current Agricultural Exemption. Those in attendance at the meeting this (Wednesday) morning, were in favor of the Ordinance, which would allow persons not strictly in the business of farming, to use county roads and access those roads by crossing a State Highway, as necessary. It is still illegal to drive ATV’s and UTV’s on a State highway as a main route of transportation.

The Ordinance does not cover use of the machines within a city, unless allowed by local ordinances. And, there are still two more public hearings set on the matter. The next takes place Jan. 31^st at 8:35-a.m. The final vote happens after the third reading on Feb. 7^th. The Supervisors each urged the constituents in their respective districts, to call them, and voice their opinions on the issue.

Supervisors Steve Green and Frank Waters expressed some concerns that their constituents have made known to them. Those are generally with regard to safety. Green said it’s the rural residents who are mainly concerned with the small machines being seen when the farmers are operating their large combines and other big machines, during the planting and harvest seasons. 

Amendments to the existing/draft Ordinance that were made following the first public hearing, was striking the wording in Section 3 with regard to “Operation on Roadways.” The amendment would allow ATV’s and UTV’s to operate on county road “At a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper.” The current version sets a 35-miles per hour speed limit. Another amendment would stipulate an ATV/UTV operator must be 16-years of age or greater and has a valid safety certificate.

A copy of the proposed ordinance to be established is available for inspection in the office of the Cass County Auditor and on the Cass County website, or here:Cass Co-Proposed-ATV Ord-Form1-withwatermark[5996]