LA CROSSE, WI (WXOW)—The La Crosse Common Council found the Mississippi Valley Conservancy in violation of its contract with the city.
Common Council said MVC, the group that works to preserve bluffland and wetlands in our community, has to account for how they spent $1.14 million in taxpayer money.
MVC argues that the scope of the dispute is much less, only about $100,000.
During Thursday's meeting, MVC asked for a special committee to be set up to negotiate the matter without finding wrongdoing, to keep it out of court.
Instead, Common Council found MVC was in breach of contract and is giving them the opportunity to negotiate a possible settlement or other resolution with the director of parks and recreation, finance and the city attorney.
"Just because the council says we've breached the contract, it doesn't mean we've breached the contract," Tim Jacobson, Executive Director, MVC said. "But if and to the extent that's what the council is saying, that they're finding us in breach, we'll still make an effort to sit down with the city and to work things out."
"The city has no interest in punishing anyone," Phil Addis, Represents City of La Crosse said. "I mean the idea is if we can resolve this by negotiation let's do so. A deadline has been set to ultimately complete those negotiations and report back to the council."
MVC has until Tuesday, October 23 to resolve the matter with the city and report back to council.
