Commission discusses enforcement options after video of motorized vehicles on rail trail; asks sheriff and prosecutor to confer

County administrators brought a video to the commission showing motorized dirt bikes being ridden on the rail trail. The sheriff requested guidance from the prosecuting attorney on enforcement authority; commissioners agreed the conduct appeared to be vandalism when it damaged county property and asked staff to clarify enforcement options and potential penalties.

At the meeting an official said they had sent “a video to the sheriff this week with the people riding on the rail trail in the motorized dirt bikes,” and that the sheriff “would like for you and the prosecuting attorney to meet, so that he knows what he's authorized to do as sheriff with the rail trail.” Commissioners and staff discussed posting signage, speed limits, vehicle prohibitions and possible impoundment of unauthorized vehicles. One commissioner said impounding dirt bikes and requiring parental restitution could deter repeat incidents.

Commissioners asked staff to arrange a meeting between the sheriff and the prosecuting attorney (Rachel) and to return to the commission with a recommended enforcement approach; staff also noted that the selected architecture/engineering firm will assess space and infrastructure needs for county facilities, separate from trail enforcement.

Why it matters: unauthorized motorized use of the trail can damage the surface, create safety risks for non-motorized users and raises questions about enforcement authority on county-leased trail segments.

Next steps: staff to coordinate a meeting with the sheriff and prosecuting attorney to clarify enforcement authority and to recommend signage and permit/vehicle rules for the trail.