Mayor could veto raise if it passes

How strongly La Crosse mayor Tim Kabat feels about his opposition to a pay hike for his job could determine whether he uses his veto pen for the first time.  Kabat says he’s still trying to figure out whether he’ll veto council action if a pay raise for the office is approved.  He says the compensation is in line with other cities and the job is far more than just a paycheck, anyway. 

“You’re going into that position for a lot more than the pay,” says Kabat. “You sign up for that job for the much more intrinsic values that the position offers.” 

The full council votes on the mayor pay raise on Thursday.  A ten percent raise to $85 thousand would go into effect after the next mayoral election.