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Wendell police propose three-year golf-cart registration, remove annual inspections
Summary
Town staff proposed moving to a three‑year registration period with a $300 fee, replacing annual inspections with a signed attestation and adding civil fines; board members asked for clearer redline language and raised technical questions about speed/weight definitions and seat‑belt requirements for minors.
Wendell police Captain Justin Loy presented proposed changes to the town's golf‑cart ordinance, recommending a shift from one‑year registrations to a single three‑year registration at $300 and removing the existing mandatory inspections in favor of an owner-signed attestation. The proposal also includes civil fines for ordinance violations and administrative adjustments to how decals and renewals would be handled.
Board members and staff said the change aims to reduce administrative burden while maintaining safety requirements in the ordinance. Under the proposal, owners would complete a one‑page online application attesting that the vehicle meets the ordinance's safety provisions (mirrors, working brakes, steering, tires); the town would mail decals at the end of each three‑year cycle. New registrations would be prorated by quarter and all registrations would expire at the end of a three‑year calendar cycle.
The presenter said the town would keep the existing safety requirements in code even though it would eliminate a mandatory physical inspection, relying on the attestation and enforcement tools. Staff also proposed adding civil penalties to supplement existing state criminal penalties so the town could address noncompliance administratively in many cases. For carts that expire this year, owners would be rolled into the first three‑year period (2026–2028) at no extra cost.
Commissioners pressed staff on specifics. Commissioner Joyner asked if civil fines would be used in addition to criminal charges; staff said they would not be the routine path in cases such as DWI but could be applied where appropriate. Commissioner Delitzsch asked for a redlined version of the ordinance showing exact changes; staff agreed to provide that. Commissioners also raised technical clarifications: several members suggested updating the ordinance's technical definition of a golf cart (current 20 mph and older weight limits) to reflect newer models (suggested 25 mph; 1,500–1,600 pounds as an example). The board discussed seat‑belt language; staff confirmed seat belts would be required for minors when minors are passengers and said the board could require belts more broadly if it chooses.
Staff said the town has about ten years of experience administering the golf‑cart program and that incidents have been rare; the replacement of inspections with an attestation is based on that local experience. Commissioners reiterated a request for a clear redline of the draft ordinance before final action.
The item was a presentation and discussion; the transcript records no formal vote on ordinance adoption that night. Staff committed to provide a redline version of the proposed ordinance and to circulate details including the exact attestation language and proposed civil‑penalty schedule.
