It is what it is. State of of Iowa 2 sleds cost me 71.00 per year, registration and a trail pass. We all know on how our snow can be, if people own a sled and want to ride they will pay the fees required to do so. no one can control government, like was posted earlier wait and see.
CAP/STEP Revenue Shortfall?
- Thread starter groomerdriver
- Start date
groomerdriver
New member
Why is it a "problem"? "Paying though the nose"? Let's look at Michigan at $45 per sled (I have no issue with this) regardless if you are a club member or not. Ontario, Quebec, NY, VT, etc.
C
Cirrus_Driver
Guest
Simple to explain, even for you....they exhorbitantly increased the fee's in one years time, as opposed to incrementally raising the reg fee's over a period of "X" number of years.
I wonder how many do that, I know I monitered the site for a couple years before posting....
I have been seeing a lot of names that I dont recognize lately and I wondered who ddhanna was also, as he was being quoted and I had no idea where it came from....
Whitedust is always civil, I'm sure it wasnt personal....
just my $ .02
groomerdriver
New member
My question wasn't directed at YOU....but I'll comment on your reply. No argument from me on this but in reality, what were they supposed to do? Start at $5, then go to $10, then $20 then $40? Michigan came out of the gate at what.....$35? There was a mini internet revolt over MI and their fees. Why would the WI fees be any different?
Remember, this is a VOLUNTEER organization (the AWSC) and these people (IMO) really have the best interests of the WI snowmobiling system in their minds. Is this perfect....**** no. But it's a start.
I AM curious, among MANY others, how much money will be made available to the clubs for equipment maintenance, trail improvements and expansion. It will be imperative for the Joe Q Snowmobiler to actually SEE that theur money is helping to improve things. Just like I witnessed what I believe is a huge improvement in the trail conditions in the western and central UP.
harvest1121
Well-known member
It would be so much easier just charge everyone $50 a year and we would not need all the discussion if I join this club and register this snowmobile it cost this much. Register your snowmobile in the state you live and pay $50 to Wisconsin and $50 to Michigan and your done 1 page of rules or laws and ends the discussion. When ever you get government involved this is what happens. We cannot figure out a simple fee now I know why out Government cannot get anything done right or well.
firefighter1
Active member
I have no problem with it except the amount of stickers. Minnesota tried this a few years back, had the regular stickers and then the trail pass, if I'm correct they kept the same fee and did away with the extra sticker. I have registered my sled in Wisconsin for the last 5-6 years, but this year I did not renew it because I would have had three stickers. Instead I just paid $50 I think and got the trail pass, one sticker instead of three. Can get to be a lot of stickers if you register in Minnesota and Wisconsin and also get a trail pass in Michigan. Money is not the issue, I paid more to have less stickers and I'm fine with that. I hope it helps Wisconsin get more club members but in the end just like my club all we really want are people to volunteer to help with trails. We have a lot of members but most of the trail work gets done by the same 12-15 people.
Bingo!! It will always be this way. We are up in memberships as well, but it's still the same folks doing the work and attending mtgs. But, they pay their dues and that's what the mission was.
Hopefully in time that will change. To many snowmobilers believe the DNR puts in the trails and a Snowmobile club is something you join to ride with other members. They don't understand how the system works. At least it will increases memberships in clubs and the AWSC so they will have more power in Madison when politics come into play.
There are many, many areas in Wis we love to ride. And many more we have not as yet rode, but will. We are not against the extra cost. It is very little as compared to the cost of the snowmobiles now days. But it surly could have done more simply. I just wish Wis had better snow cover to ride state wide!!!! Then we would not have the time to complain!
I'm not so sure about the new volunteers part? I would like to know how many new members became club voluteers? IDK how to get to the bottom of this but it would be interesting to know? Although it sounds good to want more volunteers & I'm sure some clubs do need new volunteer blood but lots of old guard out there that want the money but not the new volunteers. Old guard wants to protect same old same old keep doing what they have been doing forever. I'm NOT going into specfic details but would suspect lots of newbies this year know exactly what I'm saying. Let it rip from here but I had to say it as all a part of the big picture. LOL.
I agree with this completely. This was all about more money, not more volunteers. Which is why I believe they should have just raised registration. Nobody would have questions where the money was going. By pushing people to clubs, we all now know the clubs are getting more money and it creates an expectation that trails / grooming will be better with all the new money. Specifically in the major snow counties.
snobuilder
Well-known member
I am not seeing much commentary on here from any of the proponents that were saying this was the only option a couple years ago. I know when I questioned a few things about the whole cap step process on here there were plenty of folks monitoring these boards to beat back opposition.
I am not saying they need to defend it because we are in a wait and see mode probably for another year.
Many seemed to be "in the know". As it stands now,...IMO this looks to be more of a money shift than anything else.
I am not saying they need to defend it because we are in a wait and see mode probably for another year.
Many seemed to be "in the know". As it stands now,...IMO this looks to be more of a money shift than anything else.
snobuilder
Well-known member
Just a thought, but where do most riders in WI live and are likely to join a club in? I'd guess 90% are in the southern 1/2 of the state and most of them are concentrated in the Fox valley, Madison metro and SE corner. These areas are likely to open trails for less than a few weeks a year. Half the states Counties haven't opened so far this season yet that is where much of the new member money will end up under cap step. Does that make sense?
If cap step is to work, I think new (and old) members need to consider joining the club where they are most likely to ride. Under cap step the rider has the power to put the membership dues where it will do the most good.
I actually wouldn't mind seeing a "sister club" program get established where cash flush snow less counties help out cash strapped snow belt clubs....yea, I know that thought is WAAAAAY out there ....oh well.
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I don't know how many club meetings or AWSC meetings you guys have attended in the last ten years, but it was also about more volunteers. The idea was modeled after a state out east, can't remember which one exactly, who had great success with it. They flew the president out from that state to speak at a convention, or maybe in Madison, if I remember correctly. You can believe what you want, but cap step is about trying to get new club members and more money. As far as running into "old guard" problems as whitedust referred to im sorry to hear that. But I can say don't expect to join a club and get instant respect. Might have to do some dirty work for a couple years and show up and prove it is going to be a priority for you and not "if I have nothing else to do I will show up and help" type situation. As far as what do the counties do with the money that don't open, they only get paid on what they do. They get paid for marking, brushing, mowing, etc based on man hours and the machines they use. And if you where in a club, you would know this.
scoot
Member
Agreed. I typed out a few replies but never sent them. Thanks for saying what I was trying to say. And yes, I would LOVE to see new blood with new ideas. But keep in mind, many of us "Old Guards" have been doing this stuff for over 40 years. And what some might think is a great new idea, was probably an old idea, tried in the past, without good results.
groomerdriver
New member
It's ALWAYS been about finding a way to get some new blood involved in clubs. As to the old guard letting the new guard in, this has been an issue for years...way before CAP/STEP became a reality. It will continue to be an issue.
"Lot's of old guard out there that want the money but not the new volunteers." What a pathetic statement. SMH!
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BINGO!
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Nothing could be further from the truth. AWSC membership is up. New clubs are being formed. It's a step (no pun intended) in the right direction.
I've said it before and I'll say it again.....I AM curious as to how the additional monies from the Trail Pass will be handed out. An increase (finally) in the dollars per mile of state funded trail? Every trail becomes state funded?