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Ashland County committee allocates county funds to cover winter-ATV grant shortfalls, hears snowmobile economic-impact testimony
Summary
After hearing from alliance and club representatives about heavy trail use and local economic benefits, the committee agreed to use county alliance funds to return state ATV grant money that could not be documented due to low-snow years, and discussed bridge and equipment costs and strategies for future budgeting.
The Ashland County Parks & Recreation committee heard extensive testimony from local club representatives about high trail use in the southern county and approved using part of the county’s allocation to cover two winter-ATV grant shortfalls that the state asked to be repaid.
Don Deal and other Alliance and Forest Riders representatives described pulling substantial nonresident visitation, local spending and heavy weekend use at popular trail corridors. Club members said southern-county towns see substantial economic benefit from trail visitors but also face rising costs. Speakers noted equipment and maintenance costs (trail groomer ‘‘tucker’’ and bridge repairs) and described the burden of volunteer labor.
Staff explained that two state winter-ATV grants were flagged because low-snow winters prevented the documented grooming work required to release the second half of grant funds. Ashland County had already forwarded the second-half payouts to the local alliance anticipating eventual state approval; the state is now reclaiming the money. Staff recommended using part of the county’s $15,000 alliance allocation to reimburse the state (approximately $10,868) and to re-establish balanced books so the Alliance could continue operations.
Committee members discussed options including pushing back with the state, documenting additional work where possible, and the risks of failing to return funds (which could jeopardize future grants). The committee approved the staff recommendation by voice vote and asked staff to document the payments and return with process improvements for future grant compliance.
Committee members also discussed bridge replacements, trail reroutes (examples tied to pipeline work and private-property changes), and the possibility of pursuing larger grants or coordinated approaches with neighboring counties. The committee agreed to plan further outreach to full county board members on budget implications and to schedule presentations with neighboring counties or experts before the next budget cycle.
