Highway committee forwards ATV/UTV route ordinance to full county board after petition and debate

The committee considered a newly drafted ordinance to establish ATV/UTV routes on county roads. A committee member reported the office had received 851 signatures from homeowners, residents and landowners supporting designated routes and said the committee should forward the ordinance to the full county board for a final decision rather than deciding the matter at the five-member committee level.

Sheriff York said he had reviewed the ordinance as well and invited specific questions; he did not raise objections during the committee discussion. Committee member Phil said he agreed the committee should forward the item to the full county board, but clarified that his vote to send it forward did not necessarily mean he would vote in favor of the ordinance at the county board meeting.

Members also discussed a 2023 nonbinding referendum in which many towns weighed in; Phil noted that three towns voted "no" in that referendum. A committee member reported that county corporation counsel offices around the state were discussing similar ordinances, and that Vilas County had recently passed an ordinance allowing ATV/UTV use on county highways; however, the committee was told it is unsettled whether towns may opt out or restrict ATV/UTV travel on their township roads.

A motion to forward the proposed ATV/UTV route ordinance to the full county board was made and seconded. The committee took a roll-call vote; the motion carried. Committee member Pete Nikkater voted no while other members voted to forward the ordinance to the county board.