Onalaska council unanimously elects Steven Knott president; approves committee slate and banking update

The Onalaska Common Council elected Alder Steven Knott as its 2026 council president and approved a set of committee appointments and an annual banking resolution during its organizational meeting Tuesday evening.

Ald. Larry Jurasic nominated Knott for president; Knott accepted, saying, "I do." The clerk conducted a roll-call vote; the council recorded a unanimous 6-0 result and the chair congratulated Knott as the 2026 council president.

The mayor presented the committee appointment list included in the meeting packet and Ald. Steven Knott moved to approve the slate, seconded by Ald. Larry Jurasic. With no discussion the council voted "aye" and the motion carried unanimously.

Council also considered Resolution 12-2026, "designating public depositories and authorizing withdrawal of city monies," an annual housekeeping resolution. Staff told the council the only substantive change from the 2025 resolution was an update to the bank name to Old National Bank and that, with the city's new ERP system, the city now accepts payments through Stripe rather than the previous Chase payment integration. Amanda, a staff member, clarified for the record that the bank's name had changed rather than the city switching institutions.

Mayor Kim Smith read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Public Service Recognition Week and thanked city employees and volunteers for their service. The meeting opened with roll call, the pledge of allegiance and swearing-in of newly elected alderpersons before moving into the organizational business.

The meeting adjourned after the business was concluded; the council did not take further policy votes at this session.