La Crosse · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in La Crosse public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Homelessness prevention funding
St. Clare Health Mission received $30,183.05 in leftover public service funds for its TNT program, which the director said is the main prevention arm keeping people from becoming homeless — housing 10-14 people in a typical month.
CDBG housing rehabilitation program partnership
The city is handing its long-running home repair program — around since 1981, with over 1,300 homes renovated — to a nonprofit partner to run with $250,000 a year in federal CDBG funds. Low-income homeowners get health and safety repairs like roofs, furnaces, and accessibility ramps.
Third and Fourth Street corridor redesign
WisDOT is planning major changes to Highway 16 through La Crosse — a lower speed limit, narrower lanes, new paths, and intersection reworkings. The choices made now will shape safety for walkers and bikers for decades, with construction not starting until 2031.
Ott House local landmark designation, 1512 Winnebago Street
One of La Crosse's 10 oldest surviving homes could become a local historic landmark. The owner-nominators spent hours in archives tracing the house's history, including its move from downtown around 1911-12. A public hearing and final decision come October 22.
River Point District development momentum
Staff reported that five or six projects — including Cowboy Jack's, 18 War Eagle condos, the Unwind 42 townhomes, and a roughly $80 million senior housing development — could break ground next spring. Developers who finished this year leased up their buildings in about a month and praised the city's process.
TID 11 amendment and Public Market predevelopment
The Authority is spending $45,000 of a $600,000 city contribution to update the 2018 public market studies and gauge whether the project — and public interest — still justifies moving forward.
Northside Floodplain Redevelopment
Final Letter of Map Revision work will get Lot 10 out of the floodplain, splitting up to $15,000 in Authority costs with War Eagle LSE — a step that clears the way for development there.
Loggers lease extension at Copeland Park
The city locked in the Loggers and Steam at Copeland Park through 2043 with flat $25,000 annual rent instead of per-game revenue. The Loggers now handle stadium scheduling, saving parks staff time.
Municipal Harbor campground and sauna concepts
The west harbor property could get a city-run campground with eight seasonal sites and a group site, plus a wood-fired sauna and cold plunge business in the off-season. Details and pricing still need to come back for approval.
King Street Greenway funding
The council told WisDOT it prefers a new 'hybrid' alternative: bike lanes on Third and Fourth Streets from Vine to La Crosse Street using existing extra lane space, keeping on-street parking south of Vine and losing only about 6-7 stalls near the old Tribune site. A roundabout is planned regardless of this choice.
Losey Boulevard safety improvements
The board approved payments for property the city needs along Losey Boulevard, which keeps the road project moving forward.
Regional Safety Action Plan
Committee members want pedestrians to get a head start at crossings, but the city's five-section signal heads make that impossible without confusing left-turning drivers. Andrew Sherman said intersections are where he's come closest to being hit.
$65 Million Wastewater Plant Upgrade and Phosphorus Compliance
La Crosse's new state discharge permit took effect October 1 with stricter limits, including PFAS monitoring mentioned 105 times in the permit. The plant's biosolids tested at 0.0843 parts per billion against a 20 ppb limit — well under, unlike some neighboring communities.
PFAS contamination at French Island wells
La Crosse's new state discharge permit took effect October 1 with stricter limits, including PFAS monitoring mentioned 105 times in the permit. The plant's biosolids tested at 0.0843 parts per billion against a 20 ppb limit — well under, unlike some neighboring communities.
2027 Sewer Rate CPI Adjustment
Sewer bills are going up 4%, likely starting December 1 or January 1. The board also ordered a full rate study, with results back in 2027, to figure out longer-term sewer pricing.
Army Corps Flood Risk Management Study Agreement
The city is officially partnering with the Army Corps on a $3 million, three-year study of the North Side levee system — the first at this scale since 1975. It's the gateway to federal funding for actual flood protection projects later.
Council Vote on Rezoning and Appointments
The La Crosse Common Council voted to rezone the North Side Library property and change some city department leadership. If you’re on the North Side or use city services, this could shift what happens at that site and how departments are run.
Non-Compliant Utility Service Separations
State PSC rules require every unit in a multi-unit building to have its own shutoff, and shared sewer lines between duplexes must be separated — hitting property owners with $6,000-$10,000 bills, sometimes decades after the fact. Council members are frustrated; staff are testing a right-of-way assessment pilot and pricey remote-shutoff meters ($700 vs $150) as relief options.
$13.8 Million General Obligation Borrowing
The council authorized up to $13.805 million in general obligation notes to finish capital projects and buy city equipment — borrowing that is ultimately repaid through property taxes.
Underage drinking enforcement and bar license suspensions
Two downtown bars got 10-day license suspensions after underage-drinking complaints, but the council pushed the start dates to Sept. 28 to protect staff paychecks. The split 8-5 votes exposed a real debate about fairness, favoritism and how the city holds both businesses and licensed bartenders accountable.
Reuse of North Community Library building
The commission was scheduled to consider issuing a Request for Proposals for the vacant former North Community Library. The RFP would invite developers to propose a new use for the city-owned building.
Citywide zoning code rewrite
The city continues its multi-year project to rewrite the zoning and subdivision code, with an update scheduled for the Commission. The new code will shape what can be built where for decades.
Creation of the Office of City Administrator
A charter ordinance would create a city administrator position and move duties out of the mayor's office — a major change in how city government is structured and run.
Rezoning for drive-thru restaurant at 4358 Mormon Coulee Rd
The city rezoned a parcel on Mormon Coulee Road from Planned Development to Commercial, unlocking a restaurant with a drive-thru. It's now a decided matter, so the project can move forward.
Citgo on State liquor license denial
The council unanimously denied TAC Citgo Inc.'s application for Class A liquor and beer licenses at 1914 State Rd., following the J&A committee's recommendation with a 12-month waiting period.
Homes for 100 rent-support fund
A new fund with the La Crosse Area Community Foundation lets residents and businesses privately fund leases for people leaving homelessness. Presenters urged attendees to consider a contribution.
E-Bike and E-Scooter Education
The city produced humorous videos explaining e-bike classes, speed limits, and where e-scooters can legally ride. Members want future videos to explain why the restrictions exist, not just what they are.
Well House 13 rehabilitation and aging well infrastructure
Well 13, installed in the 1950s, has an unstable biofilm that forces extra chlorine and has pushed disinfection byproducts up. The rehab is a need, not a want, staff said — and Well 21 is next in line, with full casing replacement at up to $500,000 per well the eventual fix.
Copper Rocks TIF assistance on former KMart site
The city is locking in a deal with Copper Rocks LLCs to redevelop 2415 State Road with 214 apartments, 33 townhomes, commercial space and 12 affordable Pathways units for 10 years. Up to $1 million in TID 11 money will pay for public utilities at the site.
21.2% Health Insurance Premium Increase
The Employee Trust Fund Committee recommended keeping the current plan design and raising premiums 21.2% for both the city and employees, with quarterly reviews of plan design options for 2028.
Cuts to parks, library and neighborhood services
The budget eliminates park custodian, forestry coordinator, arts coordinator, beautification and neighborhood center positions. Council members Kahlow and Mindel argued these small-dollar cuts hit visible daily services that residents value, and questioned why the library faces more cuts after closing two branches.
Public safety staffing reductions
The police department will hold six positions open and the fire department would drop from 101 to 93 staff, taking Rescue Two at Station Two out of service. The fire chief warned the city is approaching a line where reduced staffing jeopardizes citizen and firefighter safety.
Water rate increase effective October 1
The city's water rate application is moving toward a Public Service Commission public hearing. The outcome could change what residents pay for water service.
Preservation Outreach and Education After Emerson Elementary Reversal
After the council overturned the Emerson Elementary designation, staff and commissioners are grappling with public apathy and property-rights pushback. Ideas include a council presentation, tailored messaging, and highlighting buildings the city has already lost.
Bridgeview Plaza redevelopment public assistance
Eagle Bay Properties asked for public assistance, in the form of a preliminary term sheet, to redevelop Bridgeview Plaza in Phases 1 and 2. Public money or incentives for a private redevelopment were on the table.
Regional burden-sharing: other municipalities and the state
Multiple council members said La Crosse has become a regional hub absorbing people from other counties and states, and that neighboring communities openly admit to 'sending them to La Crosse.' The mayor publicly called on other municipalities to help, and the state official noted Wisconsin spends only ~$5 million a year on homelessness programs versus $300M in Illinois and $500M in Minnesota.
Fire Station #3 project bid
The board reviewed the bid for the new Fire Station #3 but referred it instead of awarding, so the project isn't under construction contract yet.
Temporary moratorium on data centers
The committee was scheduled to hold a public hearing on a temporary moratorium on data centers in La Crosse. A moratorium would pause data center development while the city studies how — or whether — to regulate the industry, which can bring large power and water demands.
Town of Campbell incorporation appeal
The council considered authorizing funds to appeal the Town of Campbell's incorporation — a boundary and jurisdiction fight with implications for the city's growth and tax base.
Citizens' petition for a Healthcare Action Committee
A citizen petition seeks to create a Citizens' Advisory Healthcare Action Committee by ordinance; the mayor short-circuited the petition on July 23, 2026, and the clerk's certificate was on the agenda.
Council Vote on Legal Appeal Funding
La Crosse’s Common Council voted to put $90,000 toward a court fight over French Island’s push to incorporate. That means local tax dollars are now funding a legal battle over who gets to govern the island. If you live in the city, this is your money and your local government’s boundary fight.
City Administrator Position Vote
La Crosse’s Common Council just rejected the city administrator position again, so the city’s top staffing setup isn’t changing. For now, the mayor and existing departments keep running things the way they have been. If you were expecting a big management shake-up, it’s not happening this round.
Huska Park bathroom repair vs. replacement
The park bathrooms have been closed since 2020 after fire, vandalism, and encampment damage. Repairing them now costs $175,000 versus a $500,000-plus rebuild pushed to 2030 — the committee chose the repair.
Discrimination complaint - Fixmer v. Nuttall
The commission was scheduled to decide whether probable cause exists to believe discrimination occurred under Chapter 22 of the city's municipal code. A probable-cause finding would move the complaint forward in the city's enforcement process.
HWY 53 Project and City Hall Parking Impacts
The state DOT is asking the city to support the HWY 53 project, which could affect parking at City Hall. Visitors and employees who park downtown may see changes.
City Administrator Ordinance
A La Crosse council member has released a guide to the proposed City Administrator ordinance ahead of August meetings. The change could reshape how city government runs, so it's worth a quick look if you care about local decision-making.
Rose Street corridor redevelopment rezoning
Seventeen parcels along Rose Street could be rezoned from Commercial District to Planned Development District – General, opening the door to a mix of commercial and residential redevelopment. No decision is recorded.
Tax Increment District 14 termination and affordable housing extension
The commission was scheduled to consider two resolutions: one extending affordable housing requirements in TID 14 and one shutting the district down. What happens to TID 14 affects how long tax revenue from that district can be used for housing and other city priorities.
Surplus Property Declaration
The La Crosse Common Council declared the North Side Library site surplus property, which lets the city sell or repurpose that land. If you’re on the North Side, this is a signal that the future of that block is now officially up for discussion—and possibly redevelopment.
2027-2031 Parks Capital Equipment Plan
The board adopted the parks department's five-year strategic plan, which will guide how parks, recreation, and forestry are run through 2031.