La Crosse Plans - The League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area

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Observer Corps
Observing Our Government in Action
Preserving Our Right to Know

The League has been a champion of government transparency since our founding in 1920. It is one of our core principles and a vital part of our mission.

Members of our local League’s Observer Corps (OC) volunteer to monitor local government boards and committees. Their purpose is to understand and shine a light on issues of importance to our area, especially those related to positions adopted by the LWV of Wisconsin. The League Lens shares a snapshot of what is happening in county, municipal, and school district governance as reported by our OC members.

We welcome new members to our Observer Corps team. If you have an interest in observing a La Crosse area government entity—municipal, county, or school district—visit our Observer Corps page for more information about how to get involved.

JUNE 2025 LEAGUE LENS

LWVLA OC - 6/23/2025

La Crosse School Board Meeting Recording and Minutes

LWV Observers attended the June 6 and 12 meetings of the board. The Board showcased several programs in the district including “Confluence,” a band of Logan and Central player and singers; the District Liaison with the Community (name??); the Grow La Crosse program which encourages healthy eating by teaching students how to garden and has been operating since 2012 at 7 out of 10 elementary schools; and the LaX Education Foundation which has had $800,000 in donations from individuals (during this school year?? Time frame?). The Board also gave updates on construction at the Hogan and State Road buildings, curriculum, and budget. The board then took action on language changes and reviewed the budget.

~reported by Rosemary Bodnar and Jeam Hammons

City of La Crosse Common Council Information

An observer attended the June meeting of the Council, which featured three main topics of discussion. The first issue was a vote on increasing storm utility fees by 50%, effective July 1. The increase was approved, 8-5. The second point of business involved approving zoning changes for Haven on Main (affordable housing for adults with disabilities and families with children) and for new construction at Hogan Elementary School. Finally, the council took public input on the City Planning Commission’s Capital Improvement Budget.

~reported by Nora Garland

Campbell Town Board Agendas and Minutes

LWV had its first Observer Corps member attend the June meeting of the Town of Campbell Supervisors where the main agenda item was discussion of the incorporation process. A consultant is helping with the process of applying to the state of Wisconsin to become a village, which has strong constituent support. Their goals include gaining more access to state funding and exploring options for better water quality. The change is supported by Campbell's updated ordinances and the development of Campbell’s own zoning and planning goals (not the County’s).

This discussion of the incorporation process led to further discussion of water quality issues. The town continues to research the feasibility of a deeper aquifer solution to access clean water since private wells tapping into a deeper aquifer that is PFAS-free is much preferred over more costly filtration systems. If this solution proves feasible,Campbell will require all residents to tap into the clean aquifer.

~reported by Stephanie Davis

Judiciary and Law

LWV Observers attended the June meeting of the Judiciary and Law Committee and heard reports from the District Attorney, the La Crosse Sheriff, and the Civilian Review Board. The District Attorney reported that felony cases in La Crosse seem to be declining in 2025, compared to 2024, but that juvenile cases involving guns seem to be going up. They also report that their office is fully staffed. The Sheriff reported that a consultant has been hired to the PodK proposal for the county jail, which would house non-violent inmates with severe mental health issues. This new project would require new funding. The Sheriff also noted that the state of Wisconsin is planning to create a new mental health facility in the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area. Finally, the Civilian Review Board noted that the grievance reporting procedure is online and that they have invited the La Crosse and Onalaska police chiefs to meet with them.

~reported by Chris Haskell

Criminal Justice Management Counc

While CJMC did not have a quorum, an LWV observer attended the June meeting where an agenda was discussed, focusing on identifying gaps in mental illness support for those moving through the judicial system in order to ultimately identify people pre-arrest and provide services to them. The council discussed using the SIMS model (Sequential Intercept Model) to collect data on high-frequency open cases and then, starting in July, inviting stakeholders such as local medical facilities, high schools, and law enforcement to meetings where both the data and solutions could be discussed. The council realized that they do not have the funding to implement the more extensive model from Miami presented at meetings. Miami model.

~reported by Sally King and Peter Nelson

Human Services

A LWV Observer attended the June meeting of the County Health and Human Services Committee where members focused extensively on Medicaid and Food Share (SNAP) in La Crosse County. Eligibility for these programs was clarified: Children, parents, seniors, people with disabilities, and working adults whose jobs don’t offer affordable health coverage may be eligible for Medicaid, depending on their income, household size, and specific needs. Food Share eligibility is also determined by income, household size, and allowable expenses. The committee noted that 19,357 La Crosse County residents received Medicaid in 2024, for a total of $589 million in benefits, and 10,230 received Food Share in 2024, for a total of $18.9 million in benefits for La Crosse County.

The committee then discussed proposed changes to Medicaid, including Medicaid work requirements, the reduction in federal matching funds for administrative costs, and Food Share error penalties. Concerns about these changes were extensive and focused on uncertainties about specific work requirements, residents’ inability to work 20 hours per week, and increased administrative costs (potentially $2 million) and penalties for small errors in Food Share distribution (potentially $1-5 million).

The committee turned to other business, including any budget requests (the only suggestion being to provide dental services) and a policy issue concerning fees for the required course for intoxicated driving, first offense. Western charges $300 for the in-person course, which many of the 25,000 drivers required to take it each year unable to attend the classes. The County has proposed to offer an online course that would generate revenue and be available across the state. The Committee voted to support this proposal.

~reported by Mary Faherty