WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Group Supports City Administrator

LA CROSSE,WI (WXOW)--The City Administrator would handle day-to-day operations in La Crosse, something accomplished now--by the Mayor.

While there is opposition to the idea, a group Tuesday said a City Administrator is what La Crosse needs. That group is called 'Administrator, Yes.' 

Former Longfellow Principal Glen Jenkins spoke for 'Administrator, Yes.'

Jenkins said a City Administrator would provide more direction for cost saving solutions and provide for an efficient government. He said an administrator would serve as a mediating factor between the Mayor's Office and City Council.

Jenkins compares La Crosse to other Wisconsin cities--similar in size:

"Of the 12 cities that are between 40 and 100,000 population--10 of the 12 have city administrators in the government, only two don't--La Crosse and Appleton. So it's just a better way of running a business actually of over $70 million dollars is to have someone who's been trained to care for those budgets and knows how to set priorities, and knows how to run a business at a government facility," said Jenkins.

"I think people need to be aware that once you put an Administrator in there, the voters take a back seat because the Administrator really runs the city and the Mayor as is suggested that they cut his salary becomes just a figure head at best,"said David Drewes--an opponent of adding a City Administrator.

Jenkins said that support for a City Administrator has nothing to do with the current mayor, past mayors, or even future mayors. He said it has everything to do with efficient government.

Drewes said he thinks the administrator discussion has everything to do with the current Mayor.

Drewes said the current mayor is doing a good job--working to lower tax bills and run a clean government.