Henry County considers hitting the brakes on noisy trucks while discussing engine brake ordinances

MT. PLEASANT — The Henry County Board of Supervisors began a discussion pertaining to a potential engine brake ordinance after a county resident Diane Kelsner raised concerns and asked for the topic to be placed on the Feb. 27 meeting agenda.

While Kelsner initially brought up the topic, she did not attend the meeting when the board discussed it. Henry County resident Bob Byczek took the lead on the public’s behalf for this discussion in Kelsner’s absence. Byczek stated this was not his first time speaking to a Henry County Supervisors Board about the topic as he brought before them a similar request “several years ago.”

Supervisor Marc Lindeen noted that discussions on an engine brake ordinance had taken place in the past, recalling this similar request more than a decade ago.

An ordinance would aim to reduce noise pollution caused by truck engine brakes, particularly those operating without proper mufflers like Byczek says he hears multiple times a day.

"Several times a day, every day, trucks go by our house, and they'll be empty. I've even seen them bobtail, and they run their engine brakes," Henry County resident Bob Byczek said. "Engine brakes were designed for mountain driving. That's what they were designed for."

While no one refuted the appropriateness of reducing noise in these situations, the discussion did briefly touch on the finances required to implement such an ordinance. Sheriff Rich McNamee stated enforcement would require signs and decibel meters.

"Enforcing this would be pretty easy if we had a decibel meter," McNamee stated. "We'd have to purchase a decibel meter to prove that."

Even an estimated cost, however, was difficult to establish in the meeting as Henry County Engineer pointed out he wouldn’t be able to tell the supervisors how many signs would be needed and where they would need placed without further research.

Legal considerations also arose in the preliminary discussion as Hotchkiss pointed out the county would need to consider state codes, especially if they wanted to place signs on the state Highway 218.

“There might be some legal issues there," McNamee pointed out in consideration of enforcement. "We could certainly enact an ordinance, but if it conflicts with state law, we may have some trouble."

The Board of Supervisors agreed to conduct further research before moving forward with an ordinance.

"We need to figure out costs, see what other counties are doing, and consider legal implications," Lindeen said. "We'll continue this discussion later."

The next steps include reaching out to Des Moines County officials to learn how they enforce their ordinance and researching state regulations on truck noise enforcement. The board plans to revisit the issue in a future meeting after gathering more information.

To weigh in on the discussion residents can reach out to the supervisors via email at supervisors@henrycountiowa.us or by calling (319) 385-0759

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com