The Hamilton County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the first reading of a new ordinance that would allow the use of all-terrain and off-road vehicles on Hamilton County secondary roadways.

The ordinance will have two more readings, scheduled for July 25 and Aug. 8. If approved after the third reading, officials said they would like to have the ordinance take effect Sept. 1, which is the date that ATV and ORV owners can begin to register their vehicles. County Recorder Kim Anderson said a sticker or decal would be issued as a license.

Supervisor David Young said the proposed ordinance has been in the works for sometime. The process involved talking with the county engineer and looking at other county’s ordinances. The county recorder looked at the matter and how to administer licensing the program. The county sheriff and the county attorney also gave input into the proposed ordinance.

“Each one of these steps had some kind of little change or area they would like put in the ordinance,” Young said.

“We ran the ordinance past Brian Lammers at Conservation and his only request was that they (ATVs) not be ridden in the county parks,” Anderson said.

The ordinance would allow properly registered and licensed ATVs to use any gravel roadway in the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County between sunrise and sunset. Operators must be at least 16-years old with valid drivers license. Riders age 16 and 17 would also be required to take and pass an ATV education course. The maximum speed limit would be 35 miles per hour. The rider can also travel up to 2 miles on a county paved road to get to their gravel road destination. However, riders are not allowed on state roadways or ditches.

Sheriff Doug Timmons said that the ATV riders would be expected to abide by all rules of the road including carrying proof of insurance and not operating the vehicle while intoxicated.

“We will enforce the motor vehicle laws. You will follow everything that is covered as if you were driving your personal vehicle — OWI, reckless driving, stop sign violations, driving on the right side of the road,” Timmons said.

Supervisor Doug Bailey invited those with questions or input to attend one of the next two board meetings.

“We need to hear from supporters who want to see this pass,” he said. “I think it’s important for them to be at one of the next two meetings.”

“I’m going to support this, but I’m going to be really cautious,” said Young. “I’m cautiously optimistic.