Questions for Candidates – Special License Plates

[Ray]

One of the initiatives introduced at the Feb 2006 BOD meeting was to approach the WIS DOT to create a special “Vanity” license plate for member cars. It was pointed out that the WGA could reap some monetary benefit from this. What are your feelings on pursuing this initiative?

[K0rpl]

I would definetely support the Liscense plate issue. I have Vanity Amateur Radio Plates, and think it really lets my vehicle stand out from others. I would be one of the first to sign up for the new plates.

Justin

[Team Deejay]

Seems like a good idea. Any risks associated with this? Would we need to commit to a certain level of sales to the state to participate in this?

[rogheff]

What a great way to verify “is that xyz’s car over there?” Takes alot of the guess work out of meeting fellow cachers doesn’t it?

[Cheesehead Dave]

It sounds like a fun idea, especially when you can pull into a parking lot and see another “geo-plate” and know that there are other cachers present.

It would all depend on the cost and commitment. If there was a requirement that 1000 plates would have to be purchased, or if the registration would be $100, probably not. I’d go for $5 a WGA license plate border instead.

[zuma]

Regarding the license plate issue:

I was the Secretary of the Wisconsin EMS Association in the late 1980s when we successfully lobbied for the state to allow for special license plates for EMTs and Paramedics, so this is not a new issue to me. The plate approved then is still the one you see on EMT vehicles today with the Star of Life on it.

Since then, the state has approved over 50 different special plates for a variety of groups. Until 1998, each of these special plates had to be approved by the state legislature, which meant each group that wanted a special plate needed to lobby the legislature for a modification of the statute to allow their group’s special plate. Since then, the DOT has been empowered to issue special plates for groups that qualify. I reviewed the qualifications in the applicable Wisconsin statutes, 341.14, and Wisconsin Geocaching would be a group that seems to meet the qualifications.

However, the statute also anticipates a minimum of 1000 plates to break even with the program, and a group making application for a special plate is required to pay a fee of $15,500, most of which is returned to the group if 1000 plates are sold.

Those interested, can look at the statute here:

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/Stat0341.pdf

The applicable portion is 341.149(fm) and is on page 18 of the PDF document.

Therefore, at this time I cannot support an effort to apply to the DOT for a special plate for Wisconsin Geocaching. If one was available, I would certainly buy one, and I think it is a great idea. However, it is just not realistic at this point to expect that we would have over 1000 people who would want one, and it is not realistic to expect the WGA to have an extra $15,500 available to make the application.

(On the other hand, if a generous, kind-hearted geocacher such as T&TB dontated the $15,500, I would be willing to support this idea.) 😀

zuma

[GrouseTales]

Good work Zuma!

I remembered that groups had to lobby for a plate in the past, but wasn’t sure of the current requirements.

Someone brought up the idea of a special plate at last year’s board meeting, but there was no follow up on the how this would be accomplished.

The initiative seems cost prohibitive based on Zuma’s information.

[Cache_boppin_BunnyFuFu]

Plain and simple answer here. If we were able to have them approved, I would get one!!

I am a sucker for stuff like that. Looking at all the info zuma! has available, it may not be something feasible. What we would need to do, like with the coins, is get a count of those who would actually purchase, hold them too it, then and see if it would even balance out. No use jumping into something, if interest is too low or we can’t even BREAK even!!

[GeoPink]

One of the initiatives introduced at the Feb 2006 BOD meeting was to approach the WIS DOT to create a special “Vanity” license plate for member cars. It was pointed out that the WGA could reap some monetary benefit from this. What are your feelings on pursuing this initiative?

This initiative was presented with limited information. No formal follow-up was done. Some later discussions among the board were had regarding this venture. Quite frankly, there would be no real benefit to pursuing this type of intiative and the resources of the WGA could be much better spent elsewhere.

[gps_junky]

I would be all for it…. Don’t know how many people would be interested in it though… I made up a simple bumper sticker saying “Official Wi. Geocacher. I can’t say that there was too many people that got them at my last event….

WOuld I be interested in getting one? YES I WOULD.

[GrouseTales]

I had sent an email to DOT a week or so ago. I just got all the required forms in the mail. I’ll look the over this weekend.

[GrouseTales]

I’m attaching a pdf of the State Statutes regarding the special plates.

Here are some of the highlights:

• The group or organization is not organized for profit.
• Application fee is $15,500, however up to $12,000 may be returned.
• If the application is rejected, the money will be refunded to the group.
• Part of the group’s deposit up to a maximum of $12,000 may be refunded to the group after the first year of plate sales. The amount of money refunded to the group depends on the number of plates sold during the first year. The sum of $15 shall be refunded for each plate sold during the first year.
  Note: For example, if 100 plates are sold in the first year, the group will be refunded $1,500; if 500 plates are sold in the first year, the group will be refunded $7,500; and if 800 plates are sold in the first year, the group will be refunded the entire $12,000.

If the DOT sold 800 of these plates during the first year, we would receive the maximum refund of $12,000. That means even with the max refund, it would cost the WGA $3,500 to fund this project.

In order to proceed with a project of this magnitude and expense, we would need to front a lot of money. We would almost need to make sure that at least 800 people are ready to order the plates when they hit the market, and they would probably need to make a deposit with the WGA for initial funding.

This would be no small undertaking. I think we would need to see a huge amount of support from the members before I could vote “yes”.

[GeoPink]

Wow.

Thanks for the info Brian. I think we would be hard pressed to get 800 plates sold. Heck, I wonder if the Packers sold 800 specialty plates! 😆

Maybe next year…

[greyhounder]

I have a little experience — not direct, but purely observational — with specialty license plates and getting people to buy them. Obviously, greyhounds are a passion of mine, and greyhound people tend to be just as or more obsessive about the dogs. A few adoption groups created some specialty plates featuring a greyhound. The very obsessed greyhound owners will buy anything with a greyhound on it. Even a license plate from a state they do not live in. I don’t know about Wisconsin, but some states will sell you a plate. And knowing my love of greyhounds, and geocaching, I can only extrapolate that other geocachers outside of Wisconsin would want a geocaching license plate for their wall….

Bec

[LightningBugs Mum]

@GrouseTales wrote:

This would be no small undertaking. I think we would need to see a huge amount of support from the members before I could vote “yes”.

I’m with Brian on this one. I’m not sure that ultimately paying the state at least $3500 and possibly more for this is in the WGA’s best interest.

Sure, I would love to get one myself if they were available. But I think that $3500 would be better spent someplace else.

[Author]

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