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County opts out of state's new ATV law

Commissioners decide unanimously to exempt Pasco from a law that allows all-terrain vehicles on public roads.

By DAVID DeCAMP
Published September 12, 2006

DADE CITY - Pasco County won't have all-terrain vehicles legally dashing through its public roads any time soon.

County commissioners voted 5-0 on Monday to exempt Pasco from a new state law that allows ATVs on unpaved roads starting Oct. 1. No one spoke against the decision at a public hearing.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri, a critic of illicit ATV use, called the vehicles' damage to roads "unbelievable."

The new state law allows riding on unpaved public roads where the speed limit is less than 35 mph. But the Legislature included the option for counties to opt out if they have a public hearing and a majority vote by commissioners.

A string of wrecks in the Tampa Bay area recently raised concerns about ATVs, which are supposed to be used only on private property. In one case, a Pasco man and a Hernando County man died in Hernando in a crash last month.

Two weeks ago, Pasco Sheriff Bob White sent a letter supporting the exemption from law - reversing two previous Sheriff's Office statements that there was no reason to opt out.

Sheriff's Maj. Maurice Radford reiterated White's support Monday for opting out. Radford said the new law will cause more complaints and risk if the county does not opt out. Already, he said, law enforcement hears plenty of complaints.

For example, an officer chased and arrested an ATV rider late Sunday in New Port Richey who was riding on a public road without lights on, according to a police report.

In other matters, commissioners decided to defend the county's proposed comprehensive plan from a challenge by northeast Pasco property owners. The plan governs growth in Pasco, and the property owners are objecting to some of the details. The challenge came late Friday in the final hours before the challenging deadline, Chief Deputy County Attorney Barbara Wilhite said.

The county also had its first public hearing over its nearly $1.1-billion budget. For the owner of a $233,000 home with standard deductions, the property taxes for county services would be $100 less next year. No one spoke.

[Last modified September 12, 2006, 07:44:09]