Nearly a dozen residents attended the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors’ meeting to voice their support for an all-terrain vehicle and off-road utility vehicle ordinance Tuesday.

Following discussion held in August, County Attorney Brenna Bird presented an ordinance draft for the Board and the public to discuss. According to Iowa code, ATV and UTV use on County roads is illegal unless specified by the County. Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Arganbright commented on its resemblance to Cass County’s ordinance, “I looked at it and I know it came from Cass County most of it, and I’ve talked to the Sheriff there several times about it through the years and he doesn’t have a problem with it. This issue has been going on for several years and I presented it a couple years ago. I think it needs to happen, I mean ATV and UTV’s are out on the road.”

The ordinance draft states that no one shall operate an ATV or UTV unless they are at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. Supervisor Mike Dickson voiced concern about this age requirement and the requirement that operators under the age of 18 must pass an Iowa Department of Natural Resources approved ATV education course. Arganbright said he thinks it’s a good idea, voicing concerns about area youth’s safety. Panora resident Pat Moylan said he is in favor of the draft ordinance, which the other citizens concurred. The Board directed Bird to bring an updated draft including a requirement that headlights always be in use for the January 7th meeting.