Council considering ending $50 permit fee for blvd. sprinklers, after massive complaints

Cost put in place in 2011, not enforced until now 

A controversial permit fee could be rescinded soon in La Crosse.

The city council is considering ending a $50 permit fee for having sprinklers in the city’s boulevards.

It’s something that was put into place in 2011 but just enforced this year, leading to massive complaints. And that’s understandable, says city council president Martin Gaul.

“I don’t believe it’s fair and I don’t think it’s necessary,” he said.

The fee was meant to cover administrative costs to keep track of where the sprinklers were placed.

“(I) think that this was started with good intentions but obviously went awry,” Gaul said.

The council could repeal the permit fee as soon as next month. In the meantime, enforcement has been put on hold.