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Gulf County adopts emergency ordinance to immobilize illegally operated golf carts on US 98
Summary
The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance authorizing immobilization devices and a three‑strike fine schedule for illegally operated or parked golf carts along US 98; commissioners said they will coordinate enforcement with the sheriff's office and revisit contract and parking provisions at a later hearing.
Gulf County commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an emergency ordinance aimed at reducing golf‑cart traffic hazards along U.S. 98 and nearby beach access roads.
The ordinance, adopted as an emergency measure so it can be enforced ahead of the summer season, authorizes the county to immobilize (strap/steering‑wheel lock) golf carts found in violation and establishes a three‑strike civil penalty schedule: $100 for a first violation, $250 for a second and $500 for a third. Staff said the county will post signage and run a public information campaign once the measure is in effect.
Staff told the board the emergency route would give Gulf County immediate enforcement authority while allowing commissioners to return at a later meeting to amend commercial and contractual provisions. "My recommendation would be to put something through, adopt it... This gives the ability to the county to enforce it," staff said during the debate.
Residents and business stakeholders urged clarity on who will carry out enforcement and how immobilized carts will be retrieved. Sarah Hodgson of St. Joe Beach told commissioners that an ordinance without a defined enforcement plan would be "moot," saying she had heard differing accounts from sheriff's staff about manpower and enforcement capability.
Commissioners debated whether responsibility for fines and recovery should fall on renters or rental companies and discussed technical options such as vendor‑installed software to limit cart operation. Several commissioners emphasized the board's intent was public safety, not to unduly penalize responsible local owners. Staff and the county clerk's office will refine contract language and administrative procedures and advertise a separate parking ordinance for later consideration.
The motion to adopt the emergency ordinance was made by a commissioner and seconded by another; the chair announced the measure passed 5‑0. Commissioners said they would order immobilization devices and coordinate short‑term enforcement with the Gulf County Sheriff's Office while preparing any commercial provisions for a future amendment.
Next steps: county staff will advertise the ordinance amendments and return to the board at the next meeting with proposed language for commercial provisions and operational details for enforcement and fee collection.
