La Crosse leaders debate city council hierarchy

A list was established, but some disagreed its meaning

It’s not supposed to be a line of succession.

La Crosse city leaders have downplayed the idea of establishing a pecking order among city council members.

Last week, the council approved a list of officers among its members, including chairs of various committees, but member Andrea Richmond suggested that there’s no need for eight officers on a council that soon will be losing members.

“We’re going down to 13 council members,” she said. “I don’t think we need eight officers.”

The amended resolution passed Thursday placed an executive committee member fifth in line behind the mayor, council president, and the chairs of two standing committees.

City attorney Stephen Matty, however, disagreed.

“This legislation does not create a line of succession,” Matty said. “It does not rank officers over one another. All it does is list who the officers are.”

The purpose of the amendment reportedly was to list which officers could be elected by secret ballot.