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Committee sends city‑administrator charter ordinance to full council after divided hearing
Summary
The Judiciary & Administration Committee voted to advance a charter ordinance to create a city administrator after an extended public hearing that included business leaders urging professional management and residents warning of cost and reduced accountability; the committee vote was 3 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention.
The Judiciary & Administration Committee voted to forward a charter ordinance that would create an Office of City Administrator and shift operational duties away from the mayor to the full Common Council for final action. The measure, co‑sponsored by Councilmembers Newberry and Sleznicko, needs a two‑thirds council majority to enact and would include appointment, evaluation and transition provisions for an administrator.
Supporters argued a professional executive would improve budgeting and long‑term fiscal health. Sam Skinta, CEO of the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, told the committee, “The question is whether we're ready to act on what we've learned.” He and other business and nonprofit leaders said professional management could improve execution and accountability. City Director Jay Odegaard and several council members framed the proposal as a step to separate policy‑making from day‑to‑day operations.
Opponents and several residents warned about cost, democratic accountability and precedent. Paul Brown, a District 13 resident, raised fiscal concerns and said, “This city has a debt of a $145,000,000 as I understand it, a current budget deficit of $8,000,000,” arguing the council should resolve budgetary issues before adding new administrative expense. Former council member Bill Harndon and other speakers expressed concern that the change could concentrate power and that voters should be closely involved.
Mayor Shondell Washington Spivey said she supports operational management but cautioned the position is not a cure‑all. “The only way we can have professional management, and that's not true,” the mayor said, noting other approaches exist and promising further comment when the ordinance reaches council.
After public comment and committee discussion the motion to adopt and forward the charter ordinance passed in committee by a vote of 3 yes, 2 no and 1 abstention. The ordinance will be on the common council agenda next week for a final decision and would require a two‑thirds vote to enact.
