An ongoing debate may soon come to a final conclusion in the City of Jefferson.

This past November, a request was made at a City Council meeting to have the law enforcement committee re-consider allowing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) within city limits. The new state law that was enacted July 1, 2022 stipulated that ATVs could be operated on county and city streets. However, the current Jefferson city ordinance still does not allow for ATVs on city streets.

Police Chief Mark Clouse said his committee, which consists of himself, Captain Jason Kroeger, Council member Pat Zmolek and Mayor Matt Gordon, looked over the item again last month and checked with surrounding cities that have and have not passed an ordinance allowing ATVs and came to the same conclusion as before, a unanimous vote to not bring it to the Council for consideration.

“We just don’t feel that those belong on the streets. They were never designed for that. And for every one person that would tell you they were for it, I could get five people who are against it, and vice versa. I think anytime when you have to make that decision, 20 years in this job has taught me, that if you’re going to make an error, error on the side of public safety, which is, I feel what our committee is doing at this point.”    

At this past Tuesday’s City Council meeting, the topic came back up for discussion when resident Tim Pound asked that the Council take a vote whether or not to allow ATVs on city streets. Council members Darren Jackson and Dave Sloan agreed with Pound’s proposal. Sloan added by voting on it, that would end the ongoing debate.

“As much as I’ve heard about this, we can put it to bed then. Because the Council does have the final say. Even though the committee said something, the Council does have the final say. We can put it to bed and be done with it.” 

City Administrator Mike Palmer confirmed to Raccoon Valley Radio the topic is tentatively on the next meeting agenda for the council to consider amending the ordinance.