The Starke County Commissioners will consider a proposed truck route ordinance on second reading when they meet this evening.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler has been working with a committee comprised of county officials, farmers, Sheriff Bill Dulin and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver on the policy.
The eventual goal is to have several local hot-mix asphalt roads to accommodate heavy truck traffic in addition to the highways that crisscross Starke County. Ritzler says eventually all locations in the county will be within a mile of such a road.
The measure under consideration restricts routes for vehicles with a gross weight of more than 36,000 pounds to specified county-maintained roads or highways.
School buses are exempt from the proposed ordinance, as are delivery trucks and farm vehicles. Over-the-road truck drivers who live on light-access roads will be able to obtain permits so they can drive their trucks home. Permits will also be available for vehicles passing through on county roads or participating in one-time projects like the ongoing installation of utility transmission lines south of Bass Lake. The permits will keep county officials apprised of truck traffic.
Fines ranging from $100 for a first offense to $300 for a third or subsequent violation will be levied in an attempt to enforce the policy once it takes effect. Violators may also be liable for the cost of repairs to roadways. County Attorney Marty Lucas says the idea is to encourage compliance rather than generate tickets.
The commissioners will discuss the proposal during their 6 p.m. meeting. Ritzler will also present his regular monthly report, which will likely include an explanation of what the road funding bill passed by the state legislature will mean for Starke County.
EMS Director Keith Emigh will also provide his monthly report. The commissioners also plan to make an appointment to the PTABOA board this evening. It’s the panel that reviews property tax assessment appeals.
The Starke County Commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. in the meeting room at the annex building.
