Wanted: more leaf collectors in La Crosse

The La Crosse Board of Public Works has been talking this month about leaf pickup, asking for a study of possible changes in the system. 

Board member Gary Padesky said La Crosse could have used more early leaf collection last fall, when the city also had early snow.

Public Works would like Mayor Tim Kabat to find city workers from outside the street department to help with leaf collection. 

That could give street workers extra time to finish other projects before winter really sets in.      

City street crews made five passes to pick up leaves, from Oct. 1 to mid-January. 

They picked up 670 loads of leaves around La Crosse — the lowest number in almost 10 years. 

On top of that, cost of collection rose to a decade-high $276,000.