This post at Brown County Matters.

07.10.2024 Agenda Commissioners

1:01:43 — Update by the Highway Superintendent. Includes an explanation of the status on vehicles to include the work truck he drives. This discussion was preceded by a discussion by Ron Sanders and the topic of erosion control. 

AUDIO Commissioner Meeting   Includes discussion of a First-Reading of the ORV Ordinance

The ORV Ordinance was read into the record. The Second and Final Vote is scheduled for July 17, 2024, at 6:00 pm.  Commissioners Pittman and Wolpert support the ordinance “as-is.”  Commissioner Sanders does not. He is receiving more opposition to the ordinance and will share what he received with the other commissioners.  Commissioner Pittman stated they will continue to welcome input via phone or email but indicated his intent to pass the ordinance as-is.  Email: commissioners@browncounty-in.us 

If you have questions or concerns about the ordinance, suggest sharing this with the commissioner via the email address and at the meeting on July 17, 2024.  This becomes part of the record. 

• • Start : 12:30
  • Tim J. Clark 13:53 – 22:47 –  Why the rush?  I provided a copy of my statement to the commissioners and auditor and was provided the time to read it into the record. Clark ORV Statement July 10 2024.  Key points:

    • The use of ORVs “cannot” be limited to residents only which significantly broadens the scope of the ordinance and possible effects.  Suggestions:

    • Postpone the first reading.  Spend a few more hours requesting more information and sharing this via the county website and public meetings.

    • Improve communications via the Democrat newspaper, provide online presentations, and leverage social media to help ensure residents are not surprised when they see ORVs on the roads.
    • Before a first reading, hold another public meeting to share what has been learned and identify the next steps, including making any needed revisions. 
  • 22:47. Resident. Sharing his negative experiences with ATVs racing in his neighborhood and the Noise. Commissioner Pittman said we have no noise ordinance and there is no law against the loud noises that ATVs will cause. Pittman stated motorcycles are loud also.
  • 25:08. A resident expressed concern that ATVs will impact the peace and quiet in his area and likely lead to a change of plans to build a new home. He referenced the possible impact of a drop in real estate values if ATVs are seen as a problem in the area.
  • Another resident asked questions about licensing and concerns about ATVs riding in groups. This is not allowed. Reference to a limit of 2 at a time.
  • 29:36. Ron Sanders. He is receiving more information in opposition to the ordinance via email and phone calls and will share the information with the other commissioners.  He is opposed to the ordinance and wants more information.  He received inaccurate information on the ordinance from an advocate. He believes the process is being fast-tracked. He is researching the risk from an insurance standpoint from possible future lawsuits; he will keep working on getting information over the next week prior to a second vote on July 17.  He referenced we will have two new commissioners in January, and identified tabling the ordinance as an option that can be considered.
  • 33:14 – Rebuttal by Commissioners Pittman and Wolpert on the allegation of fast-tracking. They referenced previous conversations (over 2 decades) in the county on the topic but referenced no documentation or other evidence supporting their recollections. No action was ever taken.   Commissioners held no public meetings in 2021 when this issue was raised in an article in the Democrat and on Social Media. A justification given was that more residents have ORVs.
  • 36.33 – 53:28. Commissioner Wolpert read the entire ordinance into the record.   
  • 53:28. Commissioner Pittman stated they will continue to welcome input via phone or email.  Email: commissioners@browncounty-in.us