Brown County commissioners deny request to lower speed limit on County Road 13

Brown County commissioners voted to deny a request to lower the speed limit on Brown County 13 after hearing public input and a staff report.

The item was introduced by the chair, who said residents had asked that the stretch from 281 East to Brown County 14 be set to 45 mph. "I've had no calls, contact from anyone who wants it lowered," the chair said, adding that he had heard multiple people asking that the speed limit be left alone. Commissioner (S2) said some local drivers had suggested the 45-mph zone could have begun closer to Prairiewood rather than along the entire mile.

County staff reported back on recent traffic-incident data for that segment and said it did not indicate a safety problem. "We also got a report back from traffic incidents on that stretch of road that don't indicate that we've got an issue there," the county staff member said.

After discussion, Commissioner Dinger moved — and Gage seconded — a motion "to deny the request to lower the speed limit on Brown County 13 for the reasons we've just stated." The commission took a voice vote. The chair announced the motion carried.

The commissioners noted the road was built as a northern bypass around Aberdeen and said traffic volumes are expected to increase while a nearby bridge is replaced, but they did not equate that traffic growth with a need to reduce the limit. The chair said the commission appreciated input from residents who reached out.

The commission took no further action on the speed limits; the request to reduce speeds was formally denied.