Attn: WI CLUBS
- Thread starter RVR RNR
- Start date
Very interesting information. I've wondered how Wisconsin can get by without trail permits for registered sleds.
http://www.myfoxwausau.com/story/17140992/winter-wi-snowmobile-registrations-down-close-to-40
WI snowmobile registrations down close to 40 percent
WI snowmobile registrations down close to 40 percent
F
fusion
Guest
>Very interesting information. I've wondered how Wisconsin can get by without trail permits for registered sleds. <
Was this sarcasm?
If not, what exactly do you mean by this statement?
I'm a bit confused - sorry.
Was this sarcasm?
If not, what exactly do you mean by this statement?
I'm a bit confused - sorry.
why not you are playing a gas tax when you fill your snowmobile why do you want that tax to go anywherebut trail you use it on
F
fusion
Guest
Ez.....you could cut the WI gas tax by 75% and it would still be too high when compared to AL, TN, MS, ect.
Taxes in this state are too high - period
Any other questions, let me know.
Taxes in this state are too high - period
Any other questions, let me know.
They way it works out with the gas tax formula, it ends up being double the registation amount that the trail fund gets. So a $35 registration sticker puts $70 into the trails fund. So if you have a snowmobile, register it, the money gets used on the trails. The worst thing you can do is wait for snow and not end up ever buying one. Wisconsin is already starved for money for trails. And as far as going state funded trail system. Not a good idea. Keep the government out of it as much as possible! If you went up north after the big storm 2 weeks ago and expected smooth trails, get real. Its unrealistic. It was too warm on thursday to groom, and there was too much traffic, if it was groomed, to last.
Fusion, you need to get your facts straight. 90s is 100% correct. The funded trails in WI are 100% user funded. Nothing comes out of the taxpayer's pocket to fund them. The gas tax on X number of gallons per registered sled is transferred to the snowmobile trail fund. The state assumes that each registered sled uses X number of gallons per year (I forget exactly what that number is). Regardless of what the actual gas tax is, only a small percentage is used for the snowmobile fund. It's a user funded system. The more registered sleds there are, the more money that goes into the fund from registration dollars and from the gas tax formula.
This is something our worthless legislators in Madison can't seem to get through their thick skulls about CAP/STEP. The AWSC is asking to increase fees paid by those who use the system, not the general taxpayer. The clubs desperately need money to cover trail maintenance, improvement and grooming.
Truth is, we have it cheap here in WI. $30 every 2 years for registration is a joke. Michigan requires registration and the $45 yearly permit. The Canadian provinces are the same way...registration and a yearly trail pass, which is around $225 in Ontario.
bearrassler
Well-known member
Maybe the Wisconsin snowmobile association should look into what is done in MN. We have to apply every year for our grant, it is a contract between the DNR and a snowmobile club with a government sponsor. The funding is based on your trail miles and the area of the state you are in. In NW Minnesota we get 357.00 per mile, while in the Arrowhead region they get 657.00 per mile, and in southern Minnesota it is 282.00 per mile. We are expected to have our trail signed and brushed, and groom when conditions are appropriate. On years like this (we only groomed twice) we still get the full amount of the grant, 357.00 per mile, so we can pay all of our trail and groomer expenses and save some money, but in heavy snow years we are still expected to do all the grooming so we may have to use some of our saved money or raise some in other ways. It has worked out good in our area.
@bearrassler, I like the sounds of that how Minnesota handles it. I've discussed how they do that with folks in Houston County across from me and it seems to work for them as they know they will get x amount every year and need to work with that. Seems over here in Wis. that some clubs live on the supplemental to make up for their losses and it becomes a gravy train. I like the way the AWSC is trying to change things by using Cap/Step but I see issues that I don't like and I hope I am wrong with those issues.
THIS IS WHAT WE NEED IN WIS!!!!! A system like this would be fair for all and eliminate the worries that come with a low/no snow year like this one. It sucks having to find "creative ways" to use up our money so we can afford new[er] equipment.
groomerdriver
New member
To get a crystal clear picture as to how the trails are funded in Wisconsin, check out this link:
http://www.awsc.org/Dynamic_Menu/Trail_Funding_Maintenance/Funding_and_Maintenance.aspx
Hopefully this will clear up a number of inaccurate statements in this thread.
http://www.awsc.org/Dynamic_Menu/Trail_Funding_Maintenance/Funding_and_Maintenance.aspx
Hopefully this will clear up a number of inaccurate statements in this thread.
I agree taxes are to high any place in the USA. but do you think if the state decides to charge you 100 bucks for a trail pass a yr they will take the 70bucks per trail pass sold out of the gas tax fund and lower the gas tax buy that mutch?
you know better than that .I am sure it was like pulling teath to get the money form the gas tax fund in the first place.you are using the gas in your sled you are and will continue to pay the gas tax for the gas in your sled so why would you want that money to go anyplace other than the trail's.
OK if WI or MN would do a expensive sticker then exempt off road toys with permits from paying a gas sales tax I am all for it.
but you that will never happen what will happen is they will charge more for a sticker not give you a gas tax break and not give the tax you are paying for filling your toy to the trails and then give your trail sticker money to the public workers union as pay back for what I dont know but sound like more the way it will work in a few yrs .
that is unless you get your friends and fammily to wake up and support more guys like my HERO Gov Walker
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
I'm no expert yet, but I'm trying to learn, as I'm being recruited to be our club president. I just read the other day where only the first 50 gallons of gas per snowmobile registered goes to the clubs in WI.
That is correct. There is a bunch of good info on the AWSC website. Also, blu2u2 may be able to answer any question you have, I believe he is a AWSC director.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
jr37,
I will keep blu2u2 in mind and spend some time on the AWSC website this summer. Thanks for the info! I think it's only a matter of time before I run for president of our club, but I want to be prepared first and not sure if I will be ready by August. Up until now, I've attended some of our meetings and I've been grooming for 4 years and helping clear trails in the fall, but I need to know a lot more!
I will keep blu2u2 in mind and spend some time on the AWSC website this summer. Thanks for the info! I think it's only a matter of time before I run for president of our club, but I want to be prepared first and not sure if I will be ready by August. Up until now, I've attended some of our meetings and I've been grooming for 4 years and helping clear trails in the fall, but I need to know a lot more!
mspease,
If your county snowmobile association has monthly meetings, that should be a good source of info. also. The AWSC convention is coming up at the end of the month, that may be of interest also. Although the morning session can at times be a little boring, some useful info is there to be had.
If your county snowmobile association has monthly meetings, that should be a good source of info. also. The AWSC convention is coming up at the end of the month, that may be of interest also. Although the morning session can at times be a little boring, some useful info is there to be had.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
I have attended one county meeting this year and hope to do more. I will check my schedule against when the convention is and see if I can make it. Thanks!
FUNDING THE SNOWMOBILE PROGRAM
Source of Revenue: Gas Tax
The revenue that goes into Wisconsin’s snowmobile trail program comes from the registration paid on snowmobiles, along with the Wisconsin State Gas Tax (that year’s tax on 50 gallons of gas per snowmobile) plus a “40% Tourism Factor” on 50 gallons of gas tax per snowmobile.
The “40% Tourism Factor” is:
50 gallons of gas
Multiplied by Wisconsin state gas tax
Multiplied by 40%
Multiplied by the number of registered snowmobiles in Wisconsin on the last day of March each year.
Source of Revenue: Non-Resident Fee
Revenue is also received from a Non‐Resident Trail Pass (user fee) that is paid by each rider using our trail system without a current Wisconsin Snowmobile Registration on the vehicle.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The majority of snowmobile funds go to our trail system. By Wisconsin State Law, we have a priority system outlining how money is spent on our trail program:
Priority 1 – Maintenance of Existing Trails
All trails that are accepted in the funded program can receive up to $250 per mile per year to be used to maintain them. Payments are only made on actual expenses so on a “no snow year,” the $250 of expenses may not be incurred.
Expenses in this category include everything it takes to set up the trail, grooming and taking out the trail in the spring. (Examples: labor, signs, brushing, marking, any soil preparation such as bulldozing, cultimulching, disking, etc., bridge repairs, and gates). Also, short‐term (annual) acquisition, where paid. Groomers are paid by the hour according to the class (size) the machine fits into. Rates per hour on labor and equipment are published annually by the DNR.
Funding The Snowmobile Program,
Page 2
To include a trail in the State Funded Program, one must work with the County (coordinator) to establish this trail. The County must then apply for funding from the DNR.
No snowmobile organization can receive a grant for funded trails – only the County may do so.
Priority 2 – Club Signs
The snowmobile program will provide free signs to clubs for use on any snowmobile trail that is not in the funded program, as long as that trail is open to the public.
Priority 3 – Bridge Rehabilitation
If bridges on funded trails are in need of repair or rebuilding, those projects are funded using this source. Minor bridge repair can be included in Trail Maintenance.
Priority 4 – Route Sign Requests
A village, city or town may establish an ordinance that allows a snowmobile to be operated on a public road. This is called a snowmobile route.
The city, village or town can receive payment for the original snowmobile route (green) signs out of this category.
Priority 5 – Trail Rehabilitation
All major enhancements to an existing trail that make it safer or better can be funded using this source.
Priority 6 – Development
When there is money left over from the first five Priorities, it ends up here.
Basically, there are four components to Development:
Component 1: Mandatory Relocation
This is when a trail has to be moved or relocated because of loss of access.
The funding to develop a replacement trail is provided through this source.
Source of Revenue: Gas Tax
The revenue that goes into Wisconsin’s snowmobile trail program comes from the registration paid on snowmobiles, along with the Wisconsin State Gas Tax (that year’s tax on 50 gallons of gas per snowmobile) plus a “40% Tourism Factor” on 50 gallons of gas tax per snowmobile.
The “40% Tourism Factor” is:
50 gallons of gas
Multiplied by Wisconsin state gas tax
Multiplied by 40%
Multiplied by the number of registered snowmobiles in Wisconsin on the last day of March each year.
Source of Revenue: Non-Resident Fee
Revenue is also received from a Non‐Resident Trail Pass (user fee) that is paid by each rider using our trail system without a current Wisconsin Snowmobile Registration on the vehicle.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The majority of snowmobile funds go to our trail system. By Wisconsin State Law, we have a priority system outlining how money is spent on our trail program:
Priority 1 – Maintenance of Existing Trails
All trails that are accepted in the funded program can receive up to $250 per mile per year to be used to maintain them. Payments are only made on actual expenses so on a “no snow year,” the $250 of expenses may not be incurred.
Expenses in this category include everything it takes to set up the trail, grooming and taking out the trail in the spring. (Examples: labor, signs, brushing, marking, any soil preparation such as bulldozing, cultimulching, disking, etc., bridge repairs, and gates). Also, short‐term (annual) acquisition, where paid. Groomers are paid by the hour according to the class (size) the machine fits into. Rates per hour on labor and equipment are published annually by the DNR.
Funding The Snowmobile Program,
Page 2
To include a trail in the State Funded Program, one must work with the County (coordinator) to establish this trail. The County must then apply for funding from the DNR.
No snowmobile organization can receive a grant for funded trails – only the County may do so.
Priority 2 – Club Signs
The snowmobile program will provide free signs to clubs for use on any snowmobile trail that is not in the funded program, as long as that trail is open to the public.
Priority 3 – Bridge Rehabilitation
If bridges on funded trails are in need of repair or rebuilding, those projects are funded using this source. Minor bridge repair can be included in Trail Maintenance.
Priority 4 – Route Sign Requests
A village, city or town may establish an ordinance that allows a snowmobile to be operated on a public road. This is called a snowmobile route.
The city, village or town can receive payment for the original snowmobile route (green) signs out of this category.
Priority 5 – Trail Rehabilitation
All major enhancements to an existing trail that make it safer or better can be funded using this source.
Priority 6 – Development
When there is money left over from the first five Priorities, it ends up here.
Basically, there are four components to Development:
Component 1: Mandatory Relocation
This is when a trail has to be moved or relocated because of loss of access.
The funding to develop a replacement trail is provided through this source.