The city council on Monday approved the third and final readings of updates to the city’s golf cart ordinance, including a fee increase which drew some contention from members of the public.
The council first took up the ordinance six weeks ago, but in the final meeting of 2021, council members opted to push pause on second and third readings, citing a need to provide local residents more time to ask questions or voice concerns about the handful of proposed changes.
Councilman Marc McNeece said he was pleased by the council “taking its time” to ensure they got the ordinance right, “giving the public plenty of time to come and speak.”
But a couple of concerned residents spoke up a little too late, taking to the podium after the council voted 5-0 in favor of the updated legislation.
Of primary concern, they said, is what they view as a drastic increase in the fee to register a golf cart in Vincennes.
“I think you’re charging the community too much for what you’re wanting to do here,” said Vincennes resident Richard Williams. “You’re charging people — senior citizens — $50 per year. I think you’re putting the burden on the elderly of the community, and I just don’t think it’s right.”
Resident Mike Fisher echoed the sentiment. “I can pay the $50, but you just jumped from $12 to $50 overnight, instead of doing it in increments, which would be the feasible thing to do,” he said.
Councilman Brian Grove responded with the council’s justification for quickly raising the fee four times its previous rate by pointing to the costs associated with regulating golf carts in the city.
“We have to pay for the stickers themselves, pay the cost of the time for the clerk to do her part, and pay the police to do their part in inspecting the golf carts, so we thought the fee was fair,” he said, adding that in “no way would we ever want to put more of the burden on senior citizens.”
Council president Tim Salters said the group had spent weeks trying to improve the ordinance, “taking recommendations from the police department and members of the public.”
The changes, in addition to the fee increase, include providing more specific parameters on what can be defined as a golf cart, who can operate them on city streets and enforcement measures for those found to be out of compliance.
The newly-revised ordinance now also specifies only those 18 years and older are allowed to operate a golf cart on city streets.
The council also added language to state that no children under the age of 3 be permitted to ride along in the golf carts, citing safety concerns.
Despite the requirement that permitted golf carts have seatbelts, Grove said during December’s discussion, the very design of the intended safety feature would render them practically useless to very small children.
Clerk-treasurer Cathy Lane has said, too, the city has seen a number of people attempting to permit a side-by-side as a golf cart, so language has been included in the updated ordinance to ensure no other type of vehicle is permitted through a loophole.
Also updated is a clear method of enforcement, should someone in the city opt not to pay relevant fees or fines.
Those who wish to operate a golf cart inside city limits must take the vehicle to the Vincennes Police Department for a safety inspection before they are eligible to register it with the city and obtain a tag.
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