[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6175572,"mediaKeyId","5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae","parentId",5355714,"title","Council votes at a glance: appointments, ordinances and routine approvals","audioSeconds",5077,"startMs",1363000,"endMs",6440000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae&start=1363&end=6440","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae/thumbnail_1363000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6175572/Onalaska/La-Crosse-County/Wisconsin/Council-votes-at-a-glance-appointments-ordinances-and-routine-approvals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175572-d24a0adcc2e2d348a0b1d78ce9e994f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1769820461&Signature=jX-zHdz~PfqzNdigDLrHmeUYwnl6Hbh4MTKxHQ3nSF99TqDSPvdd5vea2f61ekuD7-VKGLmgJ66mTCion7KqFAOvFanVLrR94pqP2FogTikEIaOPz12rnD4ltfIJJ~OZLesS1782kjh8Kjt9DevTYBYe-P2QIfc3gL1QFPk-YQjo08J0MWQCccD6VESPKQSEqeuc4FKwlUY8rS09GCbDQuYnERgO~nan-ZcvZSl2nwa6JqGgW14i3urzqENOvJKCR9ZjR0OhKZPOg8n3yTRRpNbk5YdBrhPeSjvCtql~n7iTVMxUL1N-FewsTPXAuqpS98QziOmmRLAX3fN5a~iG2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Onalaska, WI","date","2025-07-09T14:13:18Z","article","Several routine and formal votes were resolved at the July 8 Onalaska Common Council meeting. Highlights:

- Appointment: Terry Gable was confirmed to the Parks, Recreation and Library Board by unanimous roll call following a motion by Mayor Kim Smith and second by Diane Wolf.
- Ordinance on meetings/public notices/residency: The council adopted Ordinance 18-28-2025 amending Title 2, Chapter 4 (meetings, public notices, residency requirements) by a 5-1 roll call vote.
- Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda in a single motion and later approved the vouchers list totaling $2,727,713.29.

Other routine business included brief presentations, oath of office for a new Onalaska police officer (Tyler Berg) and the introduction of the new School District superintendent, Ben Barton, both ceremonial items recognized during the meeting. Formal votes and roll-call results will appear in the official meeting minutes and the clerk’s published ordinance text.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council - July 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved the consent agenda, confirmed an appointment to parks and recreation, adopted an ordinance on meetings and residency, and approved vouchers and routine items.","taxTitle","Onalaska, La Crosse County, Wisconsin","taxId",72067,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6175577,"Council tweaks city health-insurance policy to limit employer share to lowest-cost tier 1 or tier 2 plan",3490,3637000,7127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae&start=3637&end=7127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae/thumbnail_3637000.jpg","/articles/6175577/Onalaska/La-Crosse-County/Wisconsin/Council-tweaks-city-health-insurance-policy-to-limit-employer-share-to-lowest-cost-tier-1-or-tier-2-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175577-a7b2f4f329eea55a6432c815d78b607e/orig.mp4?Expires=1769820461&Signature=NZzEMil~n8sBfkL-9M7Se7bPnlQgk-YvfQEjTQ51iQpevn5qkzpahUj2kxN3g~c8LI9mfolu65tK4vrlB3hhLH3NMmgoSYQNWJRU-ZQwcARsiX2oBRSoyjolqqMACToiiiNZHd7toonmzDtuqIw76qfko29uwYTt67XjzNVNYi5CRa7l6a4cIT~ZjAiHauNb7x5TcKgw9w3j~ayZkNthznr1n9d-E~a3ZiF2c8O-ZEz8U2MVjA5GbtoFyi5sNWcPz6D2eG0R59B81ohoBpOhcjFa~TSYEOBqh55bS-Gu5zQJvLp2jHbfzEQ2G4pVCpHgXoh9kKIkuOZp2X-1~qxf-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Onalaska councilors on July 8 approved a change to city policy 303 that updates how the city calculates its employer contribution to employee health insurance. The change allows the city to pay 80% of the lowest-cost plan among ETF-designated tier 1 or tier 2 offerings instead of a strict reference to “lowest-cost tier 1,” giving staff flexibility to limit employer exposure to premium spikes.

Staff told the council the change was prompted by large premium increases for the 2026 plan year; depending on plan selections, increases cited ranged from roughly 17% to 29% across available plans. Under the policy as written, the council would have been directed to adopt the plan that qualifies as “lowest-cost tier 1,” which in 2026 would have increased employer costs by an estimated $256,000 compared with last year’s budget projection. Amending the policy to allow selection of the lowest-cost plan in tier 1 or tier 2 reduced the projected additional cost to about $95,000, staff said.

Human-resources and finance staff emphasized that the change affects employer contribution calculations and does not change the uniform benefits available under the city’s program. Staff also warned that moving to a lower-tier plan with fewer participating providers could constrain access for some employees; councilors asked for that trade-off to be monitored as open enrollment proceeds.

After discussion about coverage quality, provider networks and budgeting impacts, the council approved the amendment unanimously. Staff will proceed with open enrollment planning consistent with the amended policy language and report any major coverage-impact concerns back to council.

Key details: council approved a motion to strike the strict “tier 1” reference and to allow the employer contribution to be calculated as 80% of the lowest-cost plan among ETF tier 1 or tier 2 offerings. Staff stated that uniform benefits remain the same across plans administered by ETF and that final plan selection will be communicated during employee open enrollment.","Facing 2026 premium increases, the council amended Policy 3.03 to allow the city to pay 80% of the lowest-cost plan among ETF tier 1 or tier 2 products, a move staff said would reduce the fiscal impact compared with remaining constrained to 'lowest tier-1' language.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6175582,"Council directs staff to negotiate purchase of Dash Park expansion after presentation on splash pad design",4990,1427000,6417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae&start=1427&end=6417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae/thumbnail_1427000.jpg","/articles/6175582/Onalaska/La-Crosse-County/Wisconsin/Council-directs-staff-to-negotiate-purchase-of-Dash-Park-expansion-after-presentation-on-splash-pad-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175582-ed19727cfb111613c20cdda23c1c6205/orig.mp4?Expires=1769820461&Signature=SCkHbREEv62W0W1TTc-ip3xqvJRlcHk8fpMyCdUKN6vCCJ7KqKjnWo~jbJVYCmc8Q7DzF72mTzcVCvmQAJpUYBNDdPFF8kUeJC~z-ZpMm0CF9MDuy-YIL1WNyxjRpIDrUA6HjVOGvT9aLuMxWU1WavQRTUB5PC6kzzqCjdbbrxJy45esLroW1QvbiipuILSMnMOF23DGd8WziJ8RSiLw7OS8L7fvznVMX6N~g7EXUikRfD5V7ibA-SdtcpLVWuMAl-o22-CYuegjZMJH4ULs-kHkGxi3m~PIb5wlbNfwhnaZFkJahwDcKiEoOPh9mdyILHDlO77-BBlTRlC8yRMsYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Onalaska Common Council on July 8 directed staff to negotiate the city’s acquisition of the Dash Park expansion area for $300,000, with the parcel and public improvements to be developed by the property owner and transferred to the city when completed.

SmithGroup landscape architect Nathan Hilmer presented design plans for the expansion — showing a covered picnic shelter, restrooms, an accessible path, lawn space and a roughly 2,200-square-foot splash-pad/fountain area with interactive jets and “leaper” streams. Hilmer and city staff described the design intent, choices for surfaces and furnishings, water-usage choreography (push-button runs of roughly 90 seconds), vehicle-rated removable bollards for the alley, and restroom visibility and access.

Questions from alderpersons covered capacity, water costs and discharge, restroom hours and access, surface slip resistance, piping life expectancy, and event use of the splash pad area. City staff said potable water would supply the fountain and, under plumbing and environmental practice in similar projects, the water would be routed to the storm‑drain system (not municipal sanitary treatment) and metered; staff also described winterization and pipe protection practices. A timber-and-limestone restroom and a boomerang-shaped shelter are part of the current construction documents.

Council later considered a draft purchase/developer agreement for the privately constructed expansion area and directed staff to negotiate terms with the Scoggan family (owners/developers). The administration explained that the city had $300,000 earmarked in park-development funds for a splash pad, and that rather than paying for a single component of a private project (which would raise public-bid requirements), the preferred approach is to fund acquisition of the developed park parcel and accept dedication after construction. City attorneys said staff would return with a final purchase agreement after negotiations and legal review.

On a motion framed by the city attorney and made by Alder Jim Benash (seconded by Alder Steven Knott), council voted unanimously to direct staff to negotiate the purchase of the Dash Park expansion area for $300,000 and to return with a final agreement. Council also moved into a brief closed session to address negotiation details and returned to open session with a unanimous vote to proceed.

Design and implementation issues highlighted by the council and staff include park accessibility, restroom hours tied to splash-pad operations, water metering, maintenance responsibilities once dedicated to the city, off‑hours security, and the possibility of reserving the splash pad area for private events by temporarily disabling the jets. Staff said alley closures would be achieved with removable, vehicle-rated bollards to allow event vehicle access when needed. The agreement will be subject to the Scoggan family’s review and to final council approval.","After a presentation on a proposed Dash Park expansion that includes a splash pad and shelter, the council unanimously directed staff to negotiate purchase of the expansion area for $300,000 and to pursue a developer agreement tying construction and dedication to city ownership.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6175587,"Onalaska council approves $25 municipal vehicle registration fee after heated public comments and amendments",5299,114000,5413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae&start=114&end=5413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5355714-4a8f9f5aad5195b69a0855f243c8e7ae/thumbnail_114000.jpg","/articles/6175587/Onalaska/La-Crosse-County/Wisconsin/Onalaska-council-approves-25-municipal-vehicle-registration-fee-after-heated-public-comments-and-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6175587-6213eb220b07b7ca06befe39b429dafe/orig.mp4?Expires=1769820461&Signature=WBTIgJWkihGi-O7L5gueDNPYqAEYz-NaFEghD7179XcYZHzIQQ78zVLk-NdZ9m~dyQ7kP3FafQ3RuqzEAp7FVswc5YedrTx9HwP4yvY0F5TXwIcX~cclRG8PmJ7Z2G5PuvhYfThgHKBGJ-OLxWihtKi~RioQ862n0H-tpVob4Fyy9upn8y~kgkfWFxjMOsdDQttHh2c-9otZaTv9jaPZr4vm0gx~T2eAqQR9RGkAsrV2FvBo5Xea0W0Gwz9c~S7gnNOlWDi6MJzd8bykuCXL1ASjem8eYZvZQdAWZtyklQy~rPzWlw-E79CHRjZr61UsW1PgDOTUyNl1gEK7g~q41g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Onalaska Common Council on July 8 approved Ordinance 18-26-2025 to impose a $25 municipal motor-vehicle registration fee, a measure supporters said would provide a steady revenue stream for street maintenance and critics called a new tax on residents.

The council passed the ordinance 4-2 after approving a three-year sunset amendment for the fee; an amendment to require a public hearing before any extension of the fee failed. The ordinance, as amended, sets the fee to take effect Nov. 1, 2025, and to sunset Dec. 31, 2028, unless council acts otherwise.

The measure prompted extensive public input during the meeting’s public-comment period. Resident Jerry Every told the council, “I don’t care what you want to call it, it’s a tax,” and urged the council to move a proposal like this out of the consent agenda so it receives committee-level review. Several other residents — including Charlie Slack, Jane Brennigan Bridal, Harriet Schuppel and Adam Trudell — told council members they oppose the fee or asked for a referendum, saying a $25-per-vehicle charge would burden seniors and households with multiple vehicles.

City staff and council members framed the fee as a narrowly restricted funding source for transportation and street-related costs. Amanda (city staff) explained that the fee, collected by the state at the time of annual registration, would be deposited into a segregated fund to pay for street-division operational expenses such as snow removal and pavement maintenance. Staff estimated roughly 16,500–17,320 eligible vehicles in the municipality and projected gross annual revenue in the neighborhood of $412,000 at a $25 fee; staff noted certain plates and vehicle types are exempt under state law.

Council debate focused on transparency, fiscal strategy and the burden on taxpayers. Alders who supported the fee said it was the most stable short-term solution to budget pressure caused by inflation and statutory levy limits; supporters also pointed to constraints on raising the property-tax levy and the difficulty of funding street maintenance from general revenues alone. Alders who opposed the measure or changed earlier support cited the city’s reserve balances and recommended deeper consideration of cuts, other revenue measures or referendums. One alder proposed a sunset and a public meeting; the sunset amendment passed and the public‑hearing amendment did not.

The ordinance was introduced as Ordinance 18-26-2025; a motion to approve was made by Alder Mike Milke and seconded by Alder Diane Wolf. Final roll-call for the ordinance (as amended) recorded four ayes (Jim Benash, Steven Knott, Larry Jurasick, Mike Milke) and two nays (Diane Wolf, Kathy Lowendorf).

Council members also discussed the mechanics and logistics of using the state’s registration system to collect the fee and noted the list of exempt plates under existing state law. Staff said the fee could be rescinded by a future ordinance at any time and that council could revisit the policy before the sunset date if conditions change.

The council’s action follows a period of budget-strategy conversations in June and will be reflected in the 2026/2027 budget planning process. The ordinance and amendments will be published in accordance with city procedures and state law.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 18-26-2025 (municipal vehicle registration fee) — Passed 4-2 after amendment to sunset Dec. 31, 2028; effective Nov. 1, 2025. The council rejected a proposal requiring a dedicated public hearing before any extension of the fee.","After more than 90 minutes of public comment and council debate, the Onalaska Common Council approved an ordinance to add a $25 municipal vehicle-registration fee, including a three‑year sunset. A proposed requirement for a citywide public hearing before any extension failed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes at a glance: appointments, ordinances and routine approvals

Council tweaks city health-insurance policy to limit employer share to lowest-cost tier 1 or tier 2 plan

Council directs staff to negotiate purchase of Dash Park expansion after presentation on splash pad design

Onalaska council approves $25 municipal vehicle registration fee after heated public comments and amendments