The St. Ignatius Town Council passed the first reading of its golf cart ordinance on Dec. 2.  

The ordinance would allow carts to return to city streets. Due to St. Ignatius citizens requesting the return of this ordinance and given improved safety features on these carts, Council President Daniel Thompson opted to put it before his colleagues. 

The ordinance follows state law, which authorizes carts on city streets as long as they have head lamps, a horn, rear-view mirror and a reflector. The golf cart must go slower than 25 mph and the driver must have a valid driver’s license. Carts must be registered through the county and follow any motor vehicle regulations. 

The second reading of the ordinance will occur during next month’s meeting on Jan. 6. If passed, it will be a town ordinance within the following 30 days.  

THE TOWN Clerk and Treasurer Amberly Walker also swore in the councilors that will take office starting Jan.1. Mayor Daren Incasola ran for reelection uncontested while Councilor Chris Heffern and former Mayor Steve McCollum won a four-way race for Council. 

McCollum was elected mayor in 2017 and previously served on Council for 12 years, according to past Lake County Leader reporting.   

ST. IGNATIUS Police Chief Jason Acheson also provided an update on department grants. The department was awarded a $5,000 High Visibility Traffic Enforcement grant from the Montana Department of Transportation Highway Traffic Safety Section.  

According to Acheson, this will allow the department to work overtime for holidays, special events, community traffic enforcement needs, or special operations. This is for high traffic visibility presence, which includes drunk driving or seatbelt enforcement shifts. 

Acheson also recently applied for a $2,200 Mason Moore Foundation grant to purchase three patrol rifles. He said that the current rifles he has are 30 years old, two of which he’s had issues with. Acheson said he will know if this grant is approved in February.   

Acheson also applied for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative grant, which would provide his evidence locker with new shelving and a cooler for assault-related evidence. He said he should hear if this is approved or not by Dec. 31.