As I See It
Stormwater Utility fee increases a bit much all at once
As a homeowner in La Crosse, while I understand the need for a Stormwater Utility to deal with the issues surrounding runoff, I’m a bit annoyed that the city is looking at more than doubling the fee if approved by the common council next week.
There’s also a part of the proposal to increase it another 22 percent next year with 3 percent raises for inflation each year from 2027 to 2029.
I’m not sure why this couldn’t have either then or now been done with gradual increases that spreads out the fee increase over a longer period of time.
Yes, for some of us, it isn’t a large amount of money. For others, such as people on fixed incomes or renters whose landlords pass the cost along in higher rents, it’s just one more piece of the paycheck or benefits whittled away in a time of uncertainty when it comes to money and financial matters.
As I see it, I’m Kevin Millard
Bob N.
June 3, 2025 at 7:23 am
Huge jumps in City costs usually happen because the Council at the time isn’t paying attention, are not business types who realize that all equipment needs maintenance and updating, are preoccupied with social issues such as free housing and homeless camps, declaring a date as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” and not the nuts and bolts of running a City and never bother talking to department heads who could have answered any questions in 10 seconds.
Department heads who could have provided this information long ago may dislike the Mayor and Council and think “Let them swim in it.”
If not careful, City Halls and County Courthouses become “Little Kingdoms” where the priority of the day is Cover Your Rear.
walden
June 3, 2025 at 11:53 am
So we have a tripling of fees for unknown occurances to build a slush fund for an unaccountable stormwater utility. I say unaccountable because, like the dolts on the school board, none of he councilmembers has the spine or acumen to actually ask questions. Same with WIZM and other local “reporters” who hide in the shadows and never ask questions or make challenging information requests.
Slush funds are great. That way our city employees can park their new City-owned $100,000 Yukons at 3:00 and head home and have sweet dreams without a worry in the world. No counting of sheep (or taxpayers) required. Most homeowners wish they had a slush fund.
Boat launch fees, dump fees, brush pile fees, dog fees, parking fees, curb fees, fee fees, etc.
Thanks a lot.
Libertarian guy
June 4, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Parking ramp fees, and there is even a burglar alarm fee. I bet you weren’t aware of that last one Walden.
Come On Man
June 3, 2025 at 4:05 pm
I said this just a few days ago:
So no perspective that there may be future maintenance in the years to come? Who is running this department?
Perhaps we should withhold a percentage of your salary because you did not see these costs rising?
Don’t you have to submit a yearly budget that includes future maintenance?
Why did they not start increasing taxes by .5% or 1% years ago instead of crying we are out of money and then gut punching property owners who are trying to make ends meet during these challenging times.
Libertarian guy
June 4, 2025 at 2:31 pm
I heard Tamra Dickinson whining that We (City Leaders) need ($500,000) the revenue. Well… If they more of our money, then why did they agree to give away $250,000 tax money to create a safety net for any airline that decides to service lacrosse. Oh and don’t forget how they squandered $22 million of printed money from the federal government These people have no idea what they’re doing. They are not business men or women. They have no fiscal sense. They have no concerns for the taxpaying public. And what kind of nonsense is a stormwater utility concept in which we have to pay for the surface area of our roofs and parking lots Because the rain can’t penetrate such barriers? As I previously said in the comments section of the news article about this, they will all vote in favor of it.