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Evansville council rejects citizen-led ATV/UTV ordinance; issue moves to November referendum
Summary
A direct-legislation ordinance to create ATV and UTV routes failed in the Council 0-7 and will go to a November referendum because it cannot be amended by the Council under direct-legislation rules.
A motion to approve Ordinance 2024-08, which would have created designated all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) operation routes and established penalties, failed by a 0-7 vote at the July 9 meeting of the Evansville Common Council.
Mayor Dianne Duggan explained the measure was a direct-legislation petition, which prevents the Council from making amendments; because the Council did not approve the ordinance, it will appear on the November ballot for voter consideration. Council discussion during the item addressed the expected cost of signage, that wheel-tax revenues would not apply to cover signage, potential fines, and differences between OWI arrests and DNR citations for enforcement and safety.
The Council recorded no votes in favor; Alderperson Cory Neeley offered the motion and Alderperson Abbey Barnes seconded it, but the Council voted unanimously to reject it, sending the matter to the referendum process.
