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Treasurer urges review of county ATV ordinance amid state DNR changes and fee questions
Summary
County Treasurer Tina Bertrand presented a discussion about the county’s ATV ordinance, noting state rule changes and questions about the county permit fee (currently $25), the county’s limited revenue from the permit ($6,500 budgeted), and inconsistencies between county code and state DNR/DOT guidance.
Woodbury County Treasurer Tina Bertrand brought an informational item July 22 asking the board to review the county’s ATV ordinance and consider aligning local language with recent state changes and to clarify the county’s authority to collect a permit fee.
Bertrand said the county’s ATV ordinance (originally adopted in 2019) still contains language allowing the county to charge a permit fee; the county continued collecting a $25 permit in recent years. She said recent DNR and state legislative activity addressed counties’ authority to collect fees; a DNR‑backed bill that would have clarified county authority had passed the Iowa House but not the Senate during the most recent session and is expected to be reintroduced. The county budgeted about $6,500 in permit revenue, so the fiscal impact of a fee change would be small.
Bertrand said confusion exists over where the county ordinance applies and how speed is regulated. The county ordinance covers county roads only, she said, and county ordinance language references driving at the posted speed limit; DNR guidance repeatedly states "do not exceed 35 mile an hour" on public roads. Some residents asked whether holding a county permit would allow them to exceed 35 mph on roads where the DNR guidance applies. Bertrand suggested a review and potential alignment of local code to reduce confusion.
Supervisor discussion included differing views on whether the county should continue collecting the fee and on the county’s role in setting speed limits for ATVs. One supervisor said permitting revenue should help cover road maintenance because off‑road vehicles can accelerate gravel‑road wear; another supervisor said the county had adopted ATV allowances early and should maintain local permitting authority and that staff should seek clarity from the legislature if needed. No formal change to the ordinance or fee was made; Bertrand asked for board direction and said additional discussion is warranted.
Key clarifications from the meeting
- County permit fee historically $25; county budgeted $6,500 in permit revenue. - County ordinance applies to county roads only; DNR guidance states a 35 mph maximum on public roads. - A DNR‑sponsored legislative clarification on county fee authority passed the House but not the Senate; sponsors expect it to return next year.
Next steps
Treasurer Bertrand asked the board for direction to review and possibly amend the county ATV ordinance so it aligns with state guidance and reduces public confusion; no formal action was taken at the meeting.
