Council member has no problem with 2016 city fee increases

La Crosse’s taxes won’t increase, but certain fees will

Doug Happel vows he will never vote for higher taxes. 

The southside La Crosse city council rep says he may not vote to lower taxes, either. 

As for the higher fees worked into the 2016 La Crosse budget, Happel doesn’t have a problem with those.

They’re not really taxes, but user fees, he says; only paid for by the people using the service.

Here are a few of the fees that would increase come 2016:

• The beer garden license will cost $250
• Several other tavern fees would also increase. 
• La Crosse chicken coop permits would increase from $10 to $25.

The budget proposal will be officially published in a few days. A final vote on the spending plan will come in mid-November.