Reimbursement for ATV trail improvement grant

Sauk County annually participates in maintaining, acquiring, insuring or developing lands for public motorized trail use. In doing so, these public motorized trails are eligible for ATV/UTV grant funds through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The program funds 100% of the cost for the acquisition, development, insurance, and maintenance of public ATV/UTV trails. Funding for the program comes from ATV/UTV registration fees and a portion of tax on gasoline. The Sauk County Land Resources and Environment Department (LRE) applied for funding for ATV trail improvements in northwest Sauk County. Funding was requested due to the cost of grading, adding an appropriate base and surface, regrading and seeding, adding breaker run and stone and purchasing the appropriate trail signs. The DNR awarded Sauk County a reimbursement grant in the amount of $23,999.

LRE staff held a public bid opening on August 31, 2022 and received 1 sealed bid from LA Valley Underground, LLC in the amount of $23,650. With the trail improvement costs, LRE staff time and permit fees, the estimated total is expected to exceed the grant amount of $23,999. LRE plans to request additional funding from the DNR, but in the event that additional funding is not awarded, the Sauk Ridge Runners, Inc. ATV Club passed Resolution 09/07/22, which states that the Sauk Ridge Runners ATV Club will reimburse Sauk County up to $900 for staff time to administer the grant if additional funding is denied by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Sauk County believes it is in the best interest of Sauk County to enter into a contract, subject to a contract review by Sauk County Corporation Counsel, for a sum of $23,650 with LA Valley Underground, LLC for ATV trail improvements.