Hearing to consider moratorium on micromobility devices/e-scooters is rescheduled

MICROMOBILITY DEVICES, including stand-up electric scooters, have caused issues in many areas where they have been offered for rent. Walton County will consider a moratorium on these devices to allow time to implement rules to regulate them.

By DOTTY NIST

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has rescheduled a public hearing to consider a 270-day moratorium on rentals of micromobility devices, including stand-up electric scooters (e-scooters).

The BCC had originally voted to hold the hearing at the end of November, but the hearing did not take place due to an advertising deadline. The public hearing is now set to take place during the 4 p.m. Dec. 10 BCC regular meeting at the South Walton Annex.

The proposed moratorium would not apply to sit-down scooters.

The move to consider the moratorium follows an Oct. 30 workshop on the devices at which members of the public voiced concern about the possibility of electric scooters being rented out in Walton County.

       Walton County legal counsel has indicated that it would probably not be possible to ban rentals of micromobility devices/e-scooters on a permanent basis, due to limits placed on local governments in connection with the devices by recent state legislation. However it has been suggested that the county enact a moratorium while the BCC and staff work to develop rules for these devices in order to avoid problems that they have caused in other areas. There had been consensus at the workshop in favor of the moratorium.