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Des Moines County board considers ordinance and signage to curb engine braking at Sullivan Slough Road
Summary
After resident complaints about heavy vehicles using compression ("jake") brakes near a steep section of Sullivan Slough Road, county staff told supervisors voluntary compliance has helped but recommended an ordinance (countywide or location‑specific) and clarified signage is not enforceable without ordinance language.
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors discussed whether to adopt an ordinance limiting engine/compression braking at a steep section on Sullivan Slough Road and whether such a rule should be site‑specific or countywide.
County staff reported recent voluntary compliance by trucking companies and utility partners, but said the problem is likely to reappear without formal action. A county staff member told the board that signage alone would not give deputies authority to enforce a restriction: "You have to have an ordinance for him to be able to enforce it," the staff member said. Board members debated whether a targeted, site‑specific ordinance would be preferable to a countywide ban and whether ordinance language should define locations by written description or allow later additions by resolution.
The county engineer and sheriff noted voluntary enforcement and conversations with contractors had reduced incidents recently, but emphasized enforcement requires legal authority. One participant described the problem location as "...a place that's on a steep decline," and said a narrowly scoped ordinance could list specific mile markers or a linear description to allow clear enforcement.
Supervisors asked staff to draft ordinance language that could be either a countywide enabling ordinance with locations set by resolution or a narrowly drawn site‑specific ordinance; staff said the board would have to approve reading(s) and an implementation plan before signs would be erected. No final ordinance vote was taken at the meeting; staff will return with draft language and recommended locations.
