The Culver Town Council members approved the second reading of the amended golf cart ordinance November 14 with a vote of 4-1 with Councilwoman Sally Ricciardi opposed to the amendment.
The amendment addresses an increase in the golf cart registration fee from $60 to $100.
Ricciardi said she would agree to a smaller increase of $10, but not at the current increase of $40.
A public hearing on the matter was held during the council’s previous meeting on October 24.
Town officials were asked about the reasoning behind the increase. Police enforcement, an increase of golf cart traffic on the town’s roadways, safety issues, frequency of calls, and additional funding needs in the General Fund were the main reasons given.
Council President Bill Cleavenger said the officers on duty spend a lot of time enforcing those “who choose not to follow the rules and regulations of the golf cart ordinance.”
There are currently 641 registered golf carts in the Town of Culver.
Residents believe that those who follow the rules are being punished by the increase in the registration fees. They think that fines should be increased to punish the violators who do not follow the rules and regulations of the golf cart ordinance.
A golf cart business expressed a hardship with the registration fee and those same expressions were relayed during public comment during the council’s November 14 meeting.
The third reading of the ordinance is anticipated to be held during the council’s next meeting Tuesday, November 28.
