La Crosse council adopts 2026 budget after heated debate over Northside library and pool

The La Crosse Common Council voted 10–3 to adopt the city’s 2026 operating budget on Nov. 17 after hours of public comment and council debate over proposed cuts that would close the Northside Library and the Northside Pool.

Finance Director Sondra Hawkins presented the budget and described state-imposed limits that constrain revenue growth, including limits tied to net new construction and the Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP). Hawkins said the city’s net new construction revenue this year was roughly $251,000 and warned that exceeding ERP limits could cost the city about $1.6 million in state incentive payments next year.

The budget as adopted includes several amendments Hawkins brought forward that reflect additional revenue from updated fees, state allocations and support payments for a school resource officer. The council also approved…