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Douglas County adopts golf car ordinance for Newport Vista subdivision
Summary
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 to suspend three readings and adopt an ordinance allowing golf cars within SID 5944 Newport Vista, after a brief public hearing and a staff explanation of the required voting steps under state statute.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 on April 1 to adopt an ordinance allowing golf cars to be driven within Special Improvement District 5944, Newport Vista.
County Administrator Patrick Bloomingdale introduced the item at the public hearing, saying some subdivisions request permission for residents to drive golf carts to neighbors’ homes. County Attorney Teresa York explained state law normally requires ordinances to be read on three separate days but allows the board to suspend that requirement with a three-fourths vote. The board first voted to suspend the three-readings requirement and then voted on adoption of the ordinance.
Commissioner Friend moved to suspend the three readings; Commissioner Borgeson seconded. The board conducted a voice vote and recorded unanimous support: Commissioners Borgeson, Cavanaugh, Fahey, Friend, Morgan, Rogers and Chair Garcia all voted yes. After suspension passed, Commissioner Friend moved to adopt the Newport Vista golf car ordinance; Borgeson seconded. The board approved adoption by a 7-0 vote.
Commissioners did not receive public testimony during the hearing; a staff member noted an email of opposition from Ricky Fulton, who lives in Omaha, but no one appeared to speak in person against the ordinance. Patrick Bloomingdale and Teresa York said the item is typically noncontroversial for subdivisions that request it and that two separate votes are required by statute for this procedural path.
The board’s action applies specifically to SID 5944, Newport Vista, in the Bennington area; the precise geographic limits of the district were not described on the record.
The ordinance will be enforced and administered as provided by county code and any state statutory limits on vehicle operation on local roads. The board recorded no amendments to the ordinance during the hearing.
