Final vote this week on room tax split in La Crosse

Mayor’s plan significantly increases
amount to city general fund

There will be a final vote this week on a big change to how room tax money is spent in La Crosse. 

Typically, just 1.5 percent of total room tax money collected has stayed in the city general fund, with the rest going to the La Crosse Center and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Mayor Tim Kabat, however, is counting on a plan to use a much bigger chunk of the total to pay for city services, which, he reasons, also contribute to the tourism industry. 

Kabat includes park maintenance, police services and even libraries in the types of services provided by the city that provide support for tourism.

Next year, total room tax money collected in La Crosse is projected to pass $2 million. Under the mayor’s plan, city hall would keep about $650,000.

The Room Tax Commission would decide how to spend the rest, but Kabat says he’ll encourage the commission to split the balance evenly between the La Crosse Center and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, giving each a little over $700,000 next year, if projections remain true.