Local
Council group bringing in consultant on La Crosse city administrator proposal
The idea of hiring a professional administrator to help run La Crosse’s city government is still scheduled to be discussed by the city council this spring.
That debate may continue for a while longer, since a study group has invited a local government specialist from Madison to attend its next meeting in April.
Consultant Daniel Foth spoke to the study committee remotely on Wednesday, saying other cities have seen benefits from having a full-time administrator, who could work alongside an elected mayor. Foth has been asked to meet with the study group on April 9.
Last fall, the city council voted to wait until this May — with mayor and half the council on the spring ballot — to vote on whether to create the administrator job.
That proposal is still scheduled to be on the May council agenda.
nick
March 27, 2025 at 6:37 am
How much will he be paid to have him lobby for a city administrator to be hired? At this point, I have no position for or against.
Roy
March 27, 2025 at 6:45 am
A fair question for Mr. Foth, the advocate for a City Administrator, would be– Has he pitched his thoughts to his City of Residence, Madison?
Madison has no City Administrator.
It has a Mayor/Council form of government, just like La Crosse.
SAM
March 27, 2025 at 12:49 pm
This issue should be put to referendum. A supervisor has the impact of changing us from a weak mayor system to a dictatorship. Our city budget would increase by about $200 thousand dollars or more.
walden
March 27, 2025 at 6:14 pm
The purpose of the consultant is to give the Council cover for a decision they have already made.
If you have doubts go back and look at the role of the so-called “consultant” the La Crosse School District hired last year to guide the citizens’ advisory committee. The entire exercise was a scam to reach the predetermined decision wanted by District administration.
In this case, the consultant is quoted as saying “other cities have benefited from having a full time administrator” when he should be saying “here is the process we go through to assist you to find the best answer for La Crosse.”
I agree this has to go to referendum if the Council continues to push this matter.