Prospect council gives new first reading to golf‑cart ordinance, delays equipment enforcement until March 2027

Prospect’s City Council gave a new first reading on Dec. 15 to an ordinance that would authorize and regulate the operation of golf carts on certain city streets and set a delayed enforcement schedule for equipment retrofits.

Mayor Doug Farnsley said several residents raised safety concerns that persuaded him to pursue a city ordinance after citizen reports of underage driving and an incident involving an adult holding an unrestrained infant in a cart. “My only goal in supporting the ordinance is safety,” Farnsley said, adding that the city’s purpose is to protect cart operators, passengers, drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians.

The ordinance before the council was introduced as "Ordinance 6 58, Series 20 25," and the title was read into the record as authorizing golf‑cart operation “pursuant to KRS 1 8 9 2 6 2 8 6.” Councilmember Holmes moved the ordinance for a new first reading; Councilmember Gibson seconded the motion. After council discussion the motion passed on a roll call vote, 6–0, with the council agreeing to return the measure for a second reading at the next regular meeting.

The text was revised to give owners time to comply with state‑mandated equipment requirements. The mayor explained enforcement of the equipment provisions is written to be effective on adoption but deferred in practice until March 1, 2027, to allow time for retrofits and local service availability. Councilmembers repeatedly confirmed that the ordinance does not create a temporary allowance for underage drivers — the statute and the ordinance require licensed drivers to operate golf carts and underage driving remains prohibited.

Residents and club representatives who addressed the council gave mixed emphasis to safety and cost. Dan Ahern, a Hunting Creek board member, described the cart privilege as a neighborhood draw and urged care in preserving the benefit while acknowledging concerns about retrofitting costs. Louis Fowler said simply, “I think the drivers need to be licensed drivers only.” Bob Jacob, an orthopedic surgeon and long‑time resident, urged compliance with the state law’s safety requirements, listing features such as license, insurance, turn signals, headlights, reflectors and brake lights. Club representatives told the council their program inspects member carts annually and said roughly 165 member‑owned carts will likely need retrofitting.

Councilmembers discussed phased approaches, signage and the practicalities of enforcement. Councilmember Leonard asked whether the police could begin issuing citations immediately; the mayor said that while underage driving is not being given an enforcement delay, operational questions remain about how to implement citations in practice and that the March 2027 date is intended to relieve the immediate retrofit burden on owners.

The council approved the first reading 6–0. The ordinance will return for a second reading at the next regular meeting, where the council may adopt it or amend it further.