Lewis County ATV fund spending 'well protected'
LOWVILLE — While Lewis County has a separate checking account for all-terrain vehicle permit revenues, expenditures are subject to the same oversight and regulations as other county spending.
"The county dollars are very well protected," County Treasurer Vicki A. Roy said.
Lewis County last year operated its inaugural permit-based ATV system, contracting with the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce to sell permits for a 10 percent administrative fee. More than 2,000 permits were sold, resulting in more than $81,000 in revenue to the county and chamber.
As with other general fund accounts, withdrawals from the ATV trail maintenance fund must be done by the treasurer's office, Mrs. Roy said. Expenditures also are subject to the county's regular audit process, including review by the county manager and the legislative Ways and Means Committee before approval by the full Legislature, she said.
"It's just like any other county expenses," Mrs. Roy said.
The law that created the ATV fund further stipulates that any expenditures be related to the county's ATV trail program, she said.
The county last year spent $41,368 on setup, administrative, advertising and sign costs, leaving a nearly $40,000 carryover for 2010.
Other programs like Stop DWI and E-911 also allow for funding carryovers, Mrs. Roy said.
The county this year has budgeted $80,000 for the trail maintenance fund, with $8,000 of that intended to cover the chamber's administrative fees.
The rest is to be spent as follows: $28,000 for trail work, $12,000 for advertising, $8,000 apiece for education/enforcement, signage and credit card fees and $4,000 apiece for data processing costs and legal fees.
As with any other county account, legislators later may move funding between line items or appropriate extra revenues — which are likely, given the rollover funds — to a specific item or items.
"We won't add to the $80,000 unless we get it in revenue," Mrs. Roy said.
County Trail Coordinator Robert C. Diehl projected that by the time trail work begins in another month or two, about half of the carryover amount will be spent on advertising, signs, permit stickers and data processing.
Volunteers last year developed 47 miles of new trails on county and private land, but all expenses were covered through grants or by ATV clubs using revenues from new members, Mr. Diehl said. While the regular permit fee was $80, those who joined one of the Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association clubs for $25 could buy permits for $40 each.
While ATV clubs likely will continue to help cover trail development costs, availability of county trail maintenance funding for items like stone, fill, bridge decking and frames, equipment, fuel and culvert pipes will be helpful, Mr. Diehl said.
Private landowners must sign formal access agreements before trails on their land can be included in the county's ATV system, County Attorney Richard J. Graham said.
"That brings the trail under the jurisdiction of our enforcement mechanism," Mr. Graham said.
As a benefit, involved property owners may receive permits for their ATVs at no charge.
The agreements also provide landowners with liability coverage through the county's policy, and they may receive additional coverage through the ATV Association, Mr. Diehl said.
Still, well over half of the current ATV trail system consists of town and county roads. While opened roads are considered trails in the ATV system's environmental review, a permit is not required to ride on public highways.
County officials plan to continue developing off-road trails to reduce their reliance on roads, Mr. Diehl said.
"We're in the beginning stages," Mr. Graham said. "There is a lot of growth to be done yet."
Mr. Diehl said he hopes that more private landowners will sign on after seeing that the county is a good steward.
"I take responsibility for it just like my own property," he said.
The trail coordinator mentioned that he and members of his volunteer trail crew last summer installed fencing along trails on farmland in the town of Turin to keep ATV riders off an alfalfa field.
"I don't want people wrecking other people's property," he said. "If a landowner wants a fence for five miles, I'll put up five miles of fence."
County officials last year reached more than 300 youths with their inaugural ATV safety program, funded through a 4-H grant. Permit funding will ensure that education program continues, regardless of whether other grant funds remain available, Mr. Diehl said.
"Aside from trails, that is the most important aspect of this program," he said.
