At a committee meeting, the County Parks Committee voted to approve Ordinance No. 8-25, amending Chapter 42 of the County Code to allow limited motorized access to county parks for ADA-related transport when covered by a department-approved memorandum of understanding (MOU). The ordinance passed after committee discussion and public comment.

The ordinance change allows motorized vehicles only for groups that have an active MOU with the county and when the MOU specifies where and when vehicles may be used. The committee and staff said MOUs will include mapped go/no‑go areas, insurance requirements and other operational limits; the change does not permit general off-road use or overnight storage of vehicles on park property.

The measure was prompted in part by members of the Friends of the White River County Park and other residents who said a small, permitted vehicle would help elderly and disabled visitors access the park’s trails and features. Don Root, president of the Friends of the White River County Park, told the committee, “We have insurance to cover our situation if we were to get into this,” and asked the committee to consider permit rules and safeguards. Henry Sieving, who said he had served as a park director, urged the panel to create “some exceptions” to allow limited motorized access for people who can’t otherwise reach park features.

Staff described how the rule will be implemented administratively through MOUs rather than by writing many operational details into the code. A staff member told the committee that MOUs could require specific safety equipment, specify vehicle limits, and restrict use to ADA support rather than general recreation. County legal counsel, Megan (legal counsel), said the MOU approach allows the county to require the “requisite insurance” and to make clear the county is not insuring third‑party vehicles.

Committee members discussed additional limits they may ask to see in MOUs, including time restrictions, restrictions tied to events, and a cap on engine size. Staff noted a practical limit of roughly 1,000 cc for permitted vehicles would likely be part of the MOU and that some communities prefer electric vehicles to reduce noise. Committee members also suggested visual branding on authorized vehicles (for easy recognition) and a trial period or limited frequency for permitted use to gauge public reaction.

The committee directed staff to draft MOU language reflecting the discussion and return the draft to the committee for review before any group begins motorized operations under the new ordinance. Staff estimated administrative work and community review could push implementation into the fall; MOUs will be required before use is allowed.

The vote on Ordinance No. 8-25 was taken after discussion and passed by voice vote.