(A) Purpose. This section hereby establishes speed limits on certain county highways in the county.
(B) Generally.
(1) It is a statutory policy of the state to grant the various counties of the state all powers needed for the effective operation of government as to local affairs unless such exercise of power is limited by the State Constitution or by state statutes.
(2) It is the proper and lawful exercise of its police powers for the County Board of Commissioners to alter the prima facie speed limits upon certain roads and highways by the adoption and amendment of an appropriate ordinance or ordinances, so long as such ordinances do not conflict with or duplicate the provisions of state statutes.
(3) It is lawful and proper for the County Board of Commissioners to assess fines and penalties for violation of such ordinances and to deposit such fines and penalties in the County General Fund.
(4) The County Board of Commissioners has previously caused engineering and traffic investigations to be made on county roads and highways in the county, which investigations have revealed that the state prima facie speed limits are greater than is reasonable or safe under conditions found to exist upon certain county roads and highways in the county as hereinafter designated, and said investigations have further revealed that the speed limits of the county roads and highways, as hereinafter noted, should be as hereinafter designated.
(5) The County Board of Commissioners desires to establish reasonable and safe maximum speed limits upon certain county highways in the county which are lower than the prima facie speed limits prescribed by state law.
(6) Copies of this section, following publication, shall be delivered by the County Auditor to each of the courts of this county, to all law enforcement agencies of the county and to the County Highway Superintendent for appropriate action.
(C) Notice. The County Highway Department shall place and maintain suitable traffic control devices giving notice of the requirements of this section upon roads and highways so affected as may be appropriate.
(D) Exemptions. Authorized emergency vehicles are exempt from the application of this section; provided, that such vehicles are not operated in a wanton and reckless manner, and other limits and/or requirements and/or conditions as imposed by state statue in the operation of the authorized emergency vehicles.
(Ord. 2002-01, passed 2-18-2002) Penalty, see § 70.99