Hopkins County Fiscal Court is one step closer to allowing street-legal special purpose vehicles on certain local and state roads, following the approval of an ordinance on first reading at Tuesday morning’s meeting.
Laura Harvey, Executive Assistant to Judge Executive Jack Whitfield, presented the initial reading of the ordinance, including the specifications.
click to download audioDuring the discussion of the ordinance, District 6 Magistrate Charlie Beshear voiced concerns about excessive noise from special-purpose vehicles in residential neighborhoods and proposed amending the ordinance to set a 15 mph speed limit in those areas, but his motion did not move forward due to a lack of a second.
Judge Whitfield noted that several requirements must be met for special-purpose vehicles.
click to download audioAdditionally, special-purpose vehicles will need to be registered with the Hopkins County Clerk’s Office and undergo inspection by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
District 3 Magistrate Vicki Thomison raised concerns about the safety of special-purpose vehicles operating on local roads.
click to download audioWhitfield also clarified that the ordinance does not apply to cities within Hopkins County.
click to download audioMagistrates also addressed regulations concerning farmer-owned vehicles and operator licensing.
click to download audioAfter additional discussion, magistrates gave unanimous approval to the ordinance. Judge Whitfield announced that the second reading for the street-legal special purpose vehicle ordinance is scheduled for August 5. As a reminder, the ordinance will not take effect until it passes a second reading by the Hopkins County Fiscal Court.
WFMW’s News Edge will have more from the meeting in the coming days.
