By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
In a span of six weeks, legalizing golf carts on city streets has been discussed three times at Great Bend City Council meetings. On May 20, the council did not have the minimum of five votes needed to pass a new ordinance. The topic was revisited June 17 with more council members present, but the governing body voted 6-to-1 to deny making golf carts legal on city streets, citing lack of support, safety and extra enforcement for the police department as reasons against the idea.
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At the July 1 meeting, citizen Troy McFarren addressed the council in support of a golf cart ordinance.
"I believe we have a very sizable group that would enjoy this," said McFarren. "I think it's an addition to the community that would give another activity for people to get out, see things and enjoy their time off."
The initial ordinance called for golf carts to keep off of federal or state highways, McKinley Street, Broadway Avenue or any street with a speed limit in excess of 30 miles per hour. In 2020, the city began distributing plates and tags for the legal use of UTVs and side-by-sides.
"We currently have motorized bicycles and scooters that run up and down the streets everyday," said McFarren. "I believe these golf carts, in the ordinance we talked about, are being made as safe as possible."
McFarrren asked the city council to revisit the allowance of golf carts on city streets.