People who live and visit a popular vacation spot in northeast Iowa have issues with some rules on the road.

In 2014, the city of Guttenberg passed an ordinance to allow visitors in the city to drive golf carts instead of their traditional vehicles.

But the unique idea has significantly lost its popularity because of the cost of a permit.

It costs a golf cart owner, visitor or resident, $100 for the year. In 2017, 33 were sold for the year. This year, no more than four permits have been sold.

Even Guttenberg Police Chief George Morteo has gotten calls complaining, even from neighboring areas and islands.

“People own a lot of golf carts there," Chief Morteo said. "I’ve heard the comment that they would gladly come to town if the permits were reduced, they don’t come often enough to merit the hundred dollar permit, but if it were lower I believe it would bring more people to town.”

Local campground users have said, they too will not pay the high fee.

So the city council has been left with a decision: to lower the cost of a permit, or leave it the way it is.

The Guttenberg City Council meets once a month. It voted on this issue in April. Despite the city council voting 3-1 in favor of reducing the cost, in order to waive the second and third readings for final approval, a supermajority was required.

Because the entire City Council was not present, it was forced to be readdressed in May and possibly June, leaving only four months in the season.

Yet some around the city are still concerned about parking issues, in addition to safety concerns, citing riders not wearing or being required to have seatbelts.

But Chief Morteo said there have not been any problems since golf carts were allowed on the road in 2014.

"It’s a vehicle, you have to follow the laws like you would in a car," Chief Morteo said. "That didn’t change anything. We have not had any issues with ordinance violations."

Chief Morteo said the only issues they have had are people driving a cart around the city without a permit- that carries a hefty fine of $195.

Compare that to the $25-30 it could cost if permits are reduced, it could lead to more people and more golf carts around the city.

Chief Morteo owns a golf cart rental service people can use, which would not require an individual driver to have a permit. However, as the owner, he would be required to purchase permits for all of his vehicles as well.

Chief Morteo said he is waiting to see if the permit cost is reduced before he does, and until a final decision is made, his side business may be delayed.