Work on ATV law continues (08/18/2008)

A new ordinance allowing off-road vehicles and golf carts on county roads should be ready within the next few weeks.

The Jay County Commissioners reviewed ordinances sent from Wells and Adams counties regarding off-road vehicle use on county roadways this morning in an effort to get something on the books for Jay County.

Both counties had similar ordinances in place, allowing off-road vehicles on county roads as long as they were compliant with state regulations. Wells County allows these vehicles only on the solid roadway, while Adams County included both the road and the right of way.

Racster said these ordinances basically just say "what you can do on a state highway you can do on a county highway."

The county, however, was looking for a solution to the rising golf cart use throughout the area, an issue that had not been addressed by other agencies.

"A golf cart is specifically excluded," Racster said, pointing out they are not a part of the off-road vehicle definition.

Commissioner Milo Miller Jr. wanted something about golf carts included within this ordinance and wanted to make sure the carts would be equipped with certain safety devices, such as lights and a slow-moving vehicle sign.

"If you're going to run it on the road, we don't care, but you have to have this," Miller emphasized.

Racster suggested in a new ordinance that the county could state off-road vehicles would be allowed if they are in compliance with state code, but add that golf carts also would be allowed if they complied with the decided safety regulations.

While the Indiana Code states local government can't require additional accessories for off-road vehicles. But since golf carts are not included in that definition, requiring the safety devices on the carts should be allowable.

Miller asked Racster to "draw up the ordinance the way you think it ought to be." The commissioners agreed that in the new document, provisions for golf carts should require that they have headlights, taillights and a slow-moving vehicle sign.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Were informed by Racster that an additional fee charged for work release or weekend sentence programs at the jail would be worked out between Jay County's judges and the sheriff and that no additional ordinance should be required.

The judges will speak with Newton and will work out a possible fee for those options.

•Reviewed e-mails with information from neighboring counties on their assessor's office staff. The commissioners are trying to gauge how many full time employees will be necessary in the office.

Jay County Assessor Terry LeMaster has been asking to bump three more employees up to full time level in order to tackle the department's workload.

•Received information from representatives of MainSource Financial Group about insurance options for the county. The county needs to review its current policy before possibly deciding to change providers. The county's insurance agent has warned that health insurance claims may have been up 10 percent or more this year.

•Spoke with Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton to set up a time for a meeting to discuss a deferred compensation program run through the Indiana Sheriff's Association. The meeting will take place Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.[[In-content Ad]]The first due-date for Jay County property tax bills this year has been decided.

The first payment on property tax bills will be due on Friday, Sept. 19.

The county will hold a second collection two months later, with the second due-date falling on Monday, Nov. 10.

Jay County Treasurer Robin Alberson said this morning that the bills haven't been printed yet since some issues with the comparisons statement are still being worked out.

Alberson said her goal is for the bills to be printed and in the mail by the beginning of next week.