The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Council reviewed revenue and spending across OHV accounts during its Nov. 24 meeting, including proposals to raise snowmobile registration fees to help cover grooming costs.

Rachel Toker, OHP recreation program analyst for the Division of Outdoor Recreation, presented revenue totals for 2023–2025 and said the program’s receipts have been “pretty consistent across the board, totaling out to about $12,000,000.” She and other staff described how some dollars are already appropriated, leaving an estimated $8 million of uncommitted funds in the near term.

Jason Curry, outdoor recreation division director, explained the difference between “dedicated” funds (legislatively appropriated line items such as position funding and trail-crew appropriations) and “non-dedicated” funds (discretionary dollars used for shared staff, operations and small purchases). “We are appropriated that money, and we are authorized to spend it, but it isn’t, you know, dollar for dollar line item,” Curry said.

Rachel also reviewed FY2025 law-enforcement spending, noting the program budgeted $3.3 million but actually spent about $2.2 million on wages, vehicle maintenance, uniforms and equipment purchases, including two motorcycles and six trailers. Council members and public commenters pressed for clearer transparency about recent increases in the share directed to law enforcement, with one public commenter noting the proportion had risen from roughly 10–15% historically to higher percentages in recent years.

Grooming and winter operations were highlighted as a growing cost driver. Toker reported grooming expenses near $786,000 for FY2025; Wade, OHV program manager, added that new MOUs and snow-removal contracts likely push grooming-related expenses closer to $900,000 next year. To help offset that cost, Wade said the division will hold a public hearing on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. to consider raising resident snowmobile registration from $22 to $26 and nonresident registration from $30 to $35. “That will help offset some of those fees as well,” Wade said.

Public commenters and council members asked for more granular budget spreadsheets and historical comparisons. Brett (last name not given) urged earlier visibility on the appropriation spreadsheet before it is sent to the legislature; Cliff (last name not provided) urged continued review of the share allocated to law enforcement so the legislature and director can make informed decisions.

Votes at a glance
Brody Johnson moved and Sheriff Curtis seconded to approve the Aug. 20, 2025 meeting minutes; the motion carried. Brody later moved to adjourn and Mike Cook seconded; the chair adjourned the meeting.

What’s next
The council asked staff to continue providing annual and interim budget reporting and to provide legislative-session updates. The division will hold the Dec. 2 hearing on snowmobile fees; any fee changes would follow the hearing and applicable statutory procedures.