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Resident urges ordinance on truck engine braking; sheriff says company agreed to driver memo and board plans work session
Summary
A resident said heavy truck engine braking and straight pipes are disturbing a rural road; the sheriff said he contacted the construction company's management and they agreed to send a memo asking drivers to stop engine braking, and supervisors said they would schedule a work session to consider signage or ordinance options.
During public comment a resident, Kenny Mattson, asked the Des Moines County Board of Supervisors to consider an ordinance banning engine braking ("Jake brakes") on a rural road where he reported heavy construction traffic and repeated noise at early morning hours. "There's probably between 300 to 400 trucks a day going up and down that road," Mattson said, asking the board to look at possible ordinances or speed postings.
The sheriff's office responded that staff contacted the construction-management leadership and that company leaders agreed to issue a directive to drivers to reduce engine braking and lower speeds. "Usually, we have a lot of success with leadership on these situations. Typically, they want to be good neighbors," the sheriff's representative said, adding that enforcement would be available if complaints continue (citation for a simple misdemeanor when an officer makes a traffic stop).
Supervisors discussed options including posting a speed limit, holding a public work session with the county engineer and county attorney, and examining other local ordinances. The board agreed to schedule a work session to review whether to pursue a local ordinance, a posted speed limit, or other measures and encouraged the resident to maintain contact with law enforcement if the problem resumes.
What it means: The board did not introduce an ordinance at the meeting; instead, it sought staff and interdepartmental advice and a possible work session to evaluate enforcement practicality, signage and the legal framework.
Key next steps: The sheriff's office will maintain contact with the complainant and the construction company; staff will prepare a short work-session agenda for the supervisors that includes the county engineer and county attorney to review ordinance language, enforcement options and any required traffic study.
