BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Street-legal ATVs are one vote away from becoming reality in Martin County. The Fiscal Court gave initial approval Thursday to an ordinance that would let certain all-terrain vehicles hit public roads as “street-legal special purpose vehicles (SLSPV),” provided they pass a rigorous list of safety requirements.
The move comes under Senate Bill 63, a state law signed March 26 that took effect June 27, giving counties the choice to opt in by creating their own ordinances.
The Fiscal Court must conduct a second reading and final vote before the ordinance becomes final.
If it passes, owners hoping to take their ATVs onto the pavement will first need to get “street-legal.” The vehicle must be equipped with essential safety features, be registered, insured and pass an inspection. SB 63 establishes a $10 annual registration fee and a $25 fee for the certified inspection to be paid to the sheriff’s office before titling.
But street legality comes with strings. The vehicles will be subject to taxes like any other motor vehicle—potentially including back taxes and sales tax.
Even then, freedom has limits. SLSPVs will be capped at 20 miles per trip on highways with centerline markings.
“Special purpose vehicle” covers all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), minitrucks, pneumatic-tired military vehicles and full-size, purpose-built vehicles. Street-legal vehicles exclude vehicles primarily used for farm or agricultural activities or low-speed vehicles. To qualify as a Street Legal Special Purpose Vehicle (SLSPV), your ATV must be outfitted with specific safety equipment:
- One headlamp, tail lamp and brake lamp
- A license plate light and one rear red reflector
- Rear turn signals (red or amber) and a braking system beyond a parking brake
- Rearview mirrors on both sides and a working muffler
- A horn or warning device
- Either a windshield or protective eyewear for the operator
- A speedometer with illumination
- A roll bar or roll cage
- Federally approved seatbelts for all passengers
- Tires with a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch
Other county business
In other actions, the Fiscal Court:
•Accepted bids from Mountain Materials Brushy Quarry for gravel and from Hinkle’s Blacktop for asphalt.
• Purchased a John Deere 672D road grader from Tommy Maynard for $50,000, payable in 10 monthly installments of $5,000, interest-free.
“That’s a tremendous price on it, and the fact that there is no interest is really good,” Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty said of the grader.
The Fiscal Court also:
• Sold the old grader to Kenny Hinkle for $8,000.
• Entered a Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid and Assistance agreement that enables local governments to share personnel, equipment and services during disasters, with reimbursement provisions.
• Appointed Kathleen Price, Naomi Bowen and Lynn Osborne to the Warfield Park Community Center Board.
Lafferty praised outgoing board member Lori Workman: “She’s done a tremendous job … Warfield Park is something that we’re proud of. It certainly has the potential to be the finest in eastern Kentucky.”
• Approved Treasurer Melissa Patrick’s FY2025 financial settlement, showing:
- $6.2 million carry-over from FY2024
- $9.1 million in new receipts
- $9.6 million in disbursements
- $5.7 million end-of-year carry-over
• Increased the hourly wage of Marietta McGinnis from $13 to $14 for taking on added janitorial duties at the historic courthouse.
• Hired Caroline Mills, Livia Howell and Brooke Proctor at $10 per hour to operate concessions at the county pool.
Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills reported that the pool has welcomed around 1,000 guests since opening. She said the county plans to continue weekend operations through Labor Day. The pool will host its first “dive-in movie night” this Friday.
• Approved $544,000 in vendor bills.
Guests
The court also welcomed Big Sandy Regional Airport Manager Gary Wayne Cox, who gave an update on airport operations and growth. (See related story.)
Judge Lafferty also introduced Erickson Mills, a 2025 high school graduate who is interning this summer at Lafferty Medical Clinic.
“I hang out with him about every day, and hopefully he is learning some good things and not bad habits,” Lafferty said. “He’s an incredibly intelligent young man, a graduate of the local high school and the Craft Academy, and has a tremendous and incredible future. He’s one of the many Martin County kids who are excelling in the world, and we have the opportunity to shine a spotlight on him.”
Mills is the son of Eric and Carolea Mills.