LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – The City Administrator Working Group is meeting with La Crosse community members to discuss the groups plan to add a city administrator.
The meeting is the first of several scheduled where community members can share their thoughts about the possible addition of the position.
Councilwoman Chris Kahlow says she appreciates the opportunity to communicate with those who live in La Crosse.
“A lot of this is getting the word out to the public, letting them know to get on the website and take the survey, get informed because this is a big decision. It can impact the city greatly,” says Kahlow.
Kahlow says one of the reasons the city administrator working group wants a city administrator is because the mayor has a lot to focus on with state and federal issues being a priority.
“I think it’s really hard to expect a person who’s elected to know all of that, and to be able to have the skills and knowledge for that without the training and education,” says Kahlow.
La Crosse resident Gregg Peppin says the administrator’s planned salary of around $190,000 that will come out of the city’s regular operating budget is too expensive.
“You’re looking at additional staff. You’re looking at additional office costs. You’re looking at potentially a surge committee. Those costs add up, and what does that mean on a going forward basis? I think that there’s still a lot of unanswered questions there,” says Peppin.
While he isn’t leaning towards the decision, Peppin encourages people to come out to future sessions to hear what people with other opinions have to say.
“It opened my eyes to maybe some of the benefits to the position. I’m think I’m leaning against it for a number of reasons. But it was a good discussion, and I think that all points of view were represented today,” says Peppin.
The city council will vote on the addition of a city administrator in February.
For more information on the administrator position and dates of future meetings, you can visit here.