COVID-related needs favored over building plans in La Crosse

Some taxpayers in La Crosse worry that the city is spending money on the wrong things, in the middle of a pandemic. 

The capital improvement budget for the next five years was reviewed by the city council finance committee Thursday night. 

It includes planning for projects such as a new law enforcement center. 

But speakers coming before the committee say the COVID pandemic and its effects should have a higher priority.

“A lot of people are facing eviction, homelessness, foreclosure on their house, joblessness, and we’re not really seeing a budget that is reflecting the concerns that are going to be happening in these next upcoming months,” said speaker Katrina Sletten.    

Much public criticism centered around a combination police and fire headquarters, said to have a price tag over $30 million. 

Spending on new riverfront docks, and cuts in the public library budget also drew comments from the public. 

Mayor Tim Kabat responded to comments, saying that borrowing won’t occur for big-ticket items unless the city is sure that a project will happen. 

Fire Chief Ken Gilliam says the law enforcement building might not go up for another 5 to 10 years.  

The full city council may vote on the capital budget next week.