An unidentified council speaker told the Lebanon City Council on Dec. 22 that the city will tighten rules for golf-cart use, increase permit fees and shift permit inspections to the city police department.

"Golf carts will not be permitted at night, year round," the speaker said, and added that "golf cart fees did go up to $50." The speaker also said the council will offer a $20 special-event pass that is valid for one week for occasions when organizers want carts on city streets.

The speaker clarified that a local ordinance cannot override state law and apologized for any earlier confusion about nighttime operation. He said inspections and permit issuance will no longer be handled by the city clerk's office: "They do not issue them anymore. They're issued ... with the city police department, and you have to call and get an appointment for that."

The speaker warned, however, that the new fee schedule must be formally approved by the council before the police department can begin scheduling appointments. "That will not be on January 1, so please don't call them and ask for an appointment yet," he said.

The announcement also noted the council plans to address rules for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) and electric bicycles in the coming year.

Why it matters: The changes affect residents who use golf carts and organizers of parades, festivals and other short-term events that rely on temporary cart use. Moving inspections to the police department changes where residents must apply and may affect how quickly permits are issued; raising fees alters the cost of legal cart operation.

The council did not take a formal vote on the ordinance language or fee schedule at the Dec. 22 meeting; the speaker said an amendment and the fee changes will be on the council's first January agenda for formal action.