Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Over Dimensional Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cass County committee approves joining LoadPass for over‑dimensional permits, adds review requirement and farmer exemption
Summary
The advisory committee voted to adopt updates to Cass County’s over‑dimensional permitting — including joining the LoadPass electronic permit system, adding township opt‑in, a proposed 10% farmer weight exemption during harvest and a biannual review requirement — and asked staff to add a 129,000‑pound truck route and special permits for unique axle configurations.
The Cass County Road Advisory Committee on Nov. 17 voted to adopt an update to the county’s over‑dimensional and overweight permit procedures and to sign onto the LoadPass electronic permit system, subject to a biannual review requirement.
Kyle, county staff, described the proposal as a move to a standardized, automated permit platform that would use axle‑weight‑based fees beginning in July 2026 and allow townships to opt in to receive permit revenues. "It's a streamlined process, faster for approvals, consistency, uniform permits across at least Eastern North Dakota," Kyle said, adding the system can exclude posted bridges or closed routes so loads are routed safely.
Under the proposal, permit fees would be tied to axle and gross weight; Kyle said permits currently generate roughly $200,000 in recent years and that the county’s fee schedule now charges a single flat amount regardless of trip length. He noted LoadPass’s planned shift to axle‑based charging could result in higher fees for some configurations but would also provide automated fee collection to reduce unpaid permits.
Members discussed adding a 10% weight exemption for farmers during harvest and giving townships the option to participate and receive a share of revenues. One commissioner proposed requiring a biannual advisory committee review in odd‑numbered years rather than an automatic sunset; another suggested a three‑year sunset. The committee adopted a biannual review recommendation.
Kyle also asked to add a special permit and a designated 129,000‑pound truck route (from State 18 past the ethanol plant and related facilities) for trucks with axle configurations that lower axle weights; he said North Dakota State Patrol estimated that route could save about 4,000 truckloads a year. Staff flagged the need for a separate bridge‑length permit to accommodate some construction configurations that current county language does not cover.
Speakers raised enforcement and indemnity questions. Kyle said other counties have used LoadPass revenue to fund additional enforcement staff; the committee discussed coordination with law enforcement. A committee member made an anecdotal claim about commercial driver enforcement at an out‑of‑state rest stop; the committee noted it as unverified.
Tyler called the roll on the suggested motion to adopt the ordinance update with the biannual review provision; commissioners present answered in the affirmative and the chair ruled the motion carried. Staff will finalize ordinance language and bring the measure to the county commission for next steps.
