Liberty County commissioners continue to mull over an ordinance restricting riding four-wheelers on public roads.
Tuesday’s commission meeting agenda continued the debate of the issue.
County Attorney Kelly Davis reminded the board they were looking to specifically address ATVs on public rights-of-way.
Chairman John McIver was in favor of a “broader statement of the ordinance,” specifically temporary crossings on county-maintained roads.
“The ordinance isn’t intended to address all the various circumstances,” McIver said.
The current draft ordinance was based on a Cherokee County ordinance.
“The approach the county would take is a more simple ordinance, leaving the sheriff’s department some discretion to enforce the ordinance as they see fit.”
“I would be very doubtful the sheriff would cite you for temporary crossing a public right of way,” Davis said.
Commissioner Marion Stevens asked if the ordinance warrants a public hearing.
“I would suggest we do that,” McIver said.
Commissioners will advertise for a hearing when they are ready to vote on the ordinance.
McIver asked Davis to research state requirements and provide the board with copies of other counties’ ATV ordinances by next meeting.
As it stands, the draft ordinance would slap violators with a $1,000 fine for riding four-wheelers on or 50 feet within county-maintained roads without the owner’s permission.
A countywide ATV ordinance was first considered in February out of public fear of run-ins between motorists and four-wheeler riders on roadway.
Tuesday’s commission meeting agenda continued the debate of the issue.
County Attorney Kelly Davis reminded the board they were looking to specifically address ATVs on public rights-of-way.
Chairman John McIver was in favor of a “broader statement of the ordinance,” specifically temporary crossings on county-maintained roads.
“The ordinance isn’t intended to address all the various circumstances,” McIver said.
The current draft ordinance was based on a Cherokee County ordinance.
“The approach the county would take is a more simple ordinance, leaving the sheriff’s department some discretion to enforce the ordinance as they see fit.”
“I would be very doubtful the sheriff would cite you for temporary crossing a public right of way,” Davis said.
Commissioner Marion Stevens asked if the ordinance warrants a public hearing.
“I would suggest we do that,” McIver said.
Commissioners will advertise for a hearing when they are ready to vote on the ordinance.
McIver asked Davis to research state requirements and provide the board with copies of other counties’ ATV ordinances by next meeting.
As it stands, the draft ordinance would slap violators with a $1,000 fine for riding four-wheelers on or 50 feet within county-maintained roads without the owner’s permission.
A countywide ATV ordinance was first considered in February out of public fear of run-ins between motorists and four-wheeler riders on roadway.