La Crosse Committee Backs Plan to Limit Mayor's Power
The La Crosse Judiciary and Administration Committee recommended creating a city administrator position that shifts budget authority from the mayor to the Common Council.
The Judiciary and Administration Committee in La Crosse voted 5-2 on Wednesday to recommend a proposal that would create a city administrator position. Introduced by council members Larry Sleznikow and Aron Newberry, the plan would grant the Common Council the authority to hire and fire the administrator and shift key responsibilities, including the preparation of the annual budget, away from the mayor.
Simultaneously, the committee voted 5-2 to recommend rejecting a competing proposal from Shaundel Washington-Spivey. The mayor's version would have required the administrator to report to both the mayor and the council while allowing the mayor to retain authority over drafting yearly budgets.
Mayor Washington-Spivey argued that the council's plan seeks to remove power from the elected mayor's office and transfer it to an unelected official. In contrast, Council Member Jennifer Trost supported the proposal, stating that the plan had undergone significant scrutiny and was ready for support.
The full Common Council is scheduled to vote on both proposals on November 12.
