Onalaska city leaders may vote to shorten daily office hours for City Hall

Local government offices around La Crosse County are usually closed for the day before 5 p.m.  One notable holdout is Onalaska City Hall, which continues to have offices open until 5…but maybe, not for much longer. 

At its February meeting on Tuesday, the Onalaska city council is being asked to consider turning out the lights earlier…perhaps, around 4 o’clock. 

City administrator Eric Rindfleisch cites a few reasons for shorter office hours…such as money-saving, and convenience for city workers.  Also cited is a sharp drop in personal visits to City Hall and an increase in on-line transactions since the beginning of the pandemic.   

Rindfleisch says Onalaska is the only municipality in La Crosse County which keeps its offices open until 5 p.m.  That means some city employees who are only supposed to work 40 hours a week have to keep the offices staffed 45 hours during the week.