Kabat vetoes raise

Decision could still be vetoed by city council

It’s the first veto from La Crosse mayor Tim Kabat. Last week, Kabat suggested he may veto the raise approved by the city council for the position he’s held for the last two years. 

Kabat, in his veto message, argues that salary is not a motivating factor for serving the community as mayor. He also refutes those who claim that the mayor’s salary is out of line with other, similar positions of authority like the superintendent of schools or the county administrator. Not the same jobs, he says.

Finally, Kabat argues a 10 percent raise to $85,000 is well above what the rest of the community might expect. And, the current $77,000, plus expenses, is right about in the middle of what other mayors across the state make.

The raise was set to go into effect after the next mayoral election. The raise passed by a wide enough margin in the council that a veto override is possible.