City Council

v p Mf IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE OF SHARP COUNTY, A AS 8/ I 6 D, EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2025- IN THE MATTER OF THE AUTHORIZATION TO OPERATE UTILITY TASK VEHICLES FILED ON PUBLIC STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AUG 12 2025 W_-I Iq ALISA Et , C\, CLERK EXECUTIVE ORDER o.c. WHEREAS, authorizing the operation of UTVs on designated public streets and highways within the unincorporated area of this.County will attract tourists, bolster recreational opportunities, and stimulate economic growth; WHEREAS, Arkansas Act 922 of 2025, § 8, enabled county judges in Arkansas to authorize the operation of utility task vehicles( UTVs) on designated public streets and highways by executive order; WHEREAS, UTVs which are properly equipped and insured as required by Act 922 of 2025 may comprise a functional and efficient means of local travel of on the county roads and qualifying state highways within the unincorporated area of this County; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mark Counts, Sharp County Judge, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Arkansas Constitution and Arkansas Act 922 of 2025, as chief executive of Sharp County, do hereby issue the following Executive Order authorizing the operation of a utility task vehicle on the county roads, public roads, and qualifying state highways within Sharp County, Arkansas: 1. Definitions. I a. " Utility task vehicle" means a vehicle that: i. Is eighty inches( 80") or less in width; ii. Travels on four( 4) or more low-pressure tires; iii. Has a steering wheel; iv. Has non-straddle seating v. Has a rollover protection system; and vi. Is designed for or capable of travel over unimproved terrain b. " Utility task vehicle" does not include a golf cart, a riding lawn mower, a lawn or garden tractor, or an all- terrain vehicle as defined in Arkansas Code § 27- 21- 102( l). c. ' Public street" and" highway" refer to public streets and highways, including and state roads, located within the unincorporated jurisdiction of the county. t 2. Authorization and Limitations to the Operation of Utility Task Vehicles on Public Streets and State Highwa+ mss. a. Except as limited by ( b), ( c), and( d) of this section, a person may operate a utility task vehicle on county roads, public roads and l' qualifying state highways within the unincorporated areas of this County. b. No utility task vehicle may be operated on a public street or highway that: i. Has a posted speed limit that exceeds fifty-five miles per hour( 55 m.p.h.)- l;  ii. Is a divided four- lane highway; or iii. Is located in a state park. D c. Any utility task vehicle operating on a public street or highway shall have t llowing 18 2s functional equipment: L At least two (2) headlamps; ii. Rear- facing turn signals; iii. At Ieast one( 1) brake light; and iv. Seatbelts. d. Any person operating a utility task vehicle on public streets or highways must: s i. Have a valid driver's license; ii. Be subject to the restrictions stated in Arkansas Code § 27- 16- 804; iii. Register the utility task vehicle under Arkansas Code § 27- 14- 701 et seq. and display the a registration decal for the utility task vehicle on the driver's side roll bar of the utility task vehicle; iv. Maintain insurance that meets the requirements for private passenger motor vehicles under Arkansas Code § 23- 89-201 et seq.; v. Carry proof of insurance covering the utility task vehicle as required under the Motor i Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, Arkansas Code § 27- 19- 101 et seq. and Arkansas Code 27- 22- 101 et seq.; and vi. Comply with the rules of the road as provided under Arkansas Code § 27-51- 101 et seq. 3. Penal . As provided Arkansas Act 922 of 2025, § 5, a person s violating this law or ordinance upon 1' conviction is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. l 4. Effective Date, This Executive Order shall be effective on the day of 2025. cl < IT IS SO ORDERED. Mark Counts Sharp County Judge l l l: F EL B