Members of the Panora City Council have been in discussion recently about the possibility of implementing a golf cart ordinance in the town.

At last week’s Council meeting, members brought up the golf cart ordinance in Guthrie Center as a model that Panora could follow if such an ordinance were to pass.

Police Chief Matt Reising believes that allowing golf carts to be driven through town would create many issues, with the primary concern being safety.

“Golf carts aren’t as easy to see as other vehicles, they’re not enclosed like a car is, there is no seat belts.  They are not equipped like a car is–blinkers, brake lights, things like that.  So, I would rather not have an ordinance that would allow golf carts in the city.”

Reising also feels that enforcing a golf cart ordinance would pose some issues for his department.  A fine structure would have to be established, which would create more work for the city in general.  There is a state code that would allow Reising to issue a citation, but even that would create unnecessary headaches.

“It still would cause and create more work and I think it would cause confusion.  I could see the possibility of ATV vehicles being driven because someone sees a golf cart and that’s okay.  I just don’t see any good reason to have an ordinance allowing golf carts.”

The Panora City Council tabled last week’s golf cart discussion but will likely be revisiting the topic at the next meeting, currently scheduled for Monday, October 14th at 6:30pm in City Hall.