County administrator proposes ordinance change to curb last‑minute nonprofit funding requests

La Crosse County Administrator Sarah Colvin recommended Jan. 14 that the county consider an ordinance change to limit ad hoc appropriations to nonprofits and require that outside funding be routed through departmental budgeting, contractual agreements and the normal annual budget cycle.

Colvin told the Board of Supervisors the current process allows nonprofit requests to arrive at any time — through staff, supervisors or public comment during budget hearings — which can create inequities and short timelines for decision-making. "Because of this, it kinda sabotages any policies and procedures we put in place," Colvin said, describing concerns that some nonprofits with closer connections to supervisors or staff receive disproportionate attention.

Context and legal guidance: Colvin referenced a 2017 Wisconsin attorney general opinion requested by a county that advised against direct appropriations to some nonprofits where statutory authority is absent. She cited Chapter 59 of the Wisconsin statutes and noted section 21 (authorizing county programs of relief for specific classes of persons) as one of the broader statutory authorities under which counties may legally appropriate funds. The administrator’s slides also noted that certain recurring items (the historical society appropriation and CASA funding) have historically been budgeted in the administrator’s base proposal.

Fund balance and capital priorities: Colvin urged supervisors to weigh outside requests against long‑term county needs and a fund-balance policy that targets 25–50% of general fund expenditures. She provided a list of upcoming capital pressures that could require significant funding, including jail remodels and equipment upgrades, a 9‑1‑1 dispatch console replacement, potential juvenile facility decisions and other maintenance and software investments.

Staff recommendation and rationale: Colvin proposed that the county consider an ordinance amendment requiring that nonprofit funding be made only by contract and as part of the regular departmental/administrator budget process; governmental entities could remain eligible for other appropriations. She said a change at the ordinance level is the only reliable way to block last‑minute budget‑meeting add‑ons because board members can otherwise add items during annual budget approval.

Supervisors’ questions and discussion: Supervisors asked for history and clarifications about past large appropriations (for example, homelessness prevention funding that drew on fund balance in earlier years), and whether the attorney general opinion remains widely applied. Colvin and staff said the opinion is guidance and not binding law but is a relevant caution; staff also noted the county’s records on board additions and outside funding through recent budget cycles.

Next steps: Colvin said staff will bring ordinance language and a list of pros and cons for the Board’s consideration at a future meeting. No ordinance change or formal vote occurred at this session.

Ending: The board approved adjournment and moved to the next scheduled meeting.