Here’s a breakdown of the proposed 2027 budget using the October 12 figures. These changes aren’t final.

Compared with the adopted 2026 budget:

• Police: Up $1.45 million (+10.1%).
• Fire: Up $652,000 (+4.8%).
• Transit subsidy: Up $834,000, nearly doubling to $1.7 million.
• Parks, Recreation, Forestry & Facilities: Down $297,000 (−5.9%).
• Library: Down $186,000 (−3.5%).
• Streets and refuse/recycling: Down $149,000 (−1.8%).
• Municipal Court: Its $268,256 general-fund line drops to $0. (Is this a mistake??)

The parks, library, and streets reductions total roughly $632,000.

Some context matters here. The police increase includes restoring previously unfunded officers, taking over a formerly grant-funded position, negotiated raises, and higher overtime budgeting. Fire also restores positions. These department totals don’t tell us how much of each increase is discretionary versus existing commitments.

Overall operating spending would increase about 3.4%, but maintaining services costs more because of health insurance, wages, transit, and other expenses. The city is trying to remain within the state’s Expenditure Restraint Program to retain state aid. A motion to prepare an alternative budget outside that program failed 4–5 on October 12.

My Professional Questions:

Three things stand out in the budget summary:

1. Why is Municipal Court budgeted at $0? The packet reportedly doesn’t explain whether it’s closing, moving to another funding source, or being reorganized. A zeroed-out line alone doesn’t establish that the court is closing.
2. Where is the detailed list of service and staffing reductions? The board unanimously requested more detail in September, but the summary says the October packet still lacks a complete explanation of what departments would give up.
3. What happened to the additional evening public-input meeting? The summary says the committee approved one, but it never appeared on the calendar.

Hey all! Indivisible La Crosse will be back this Saturday from 12-2pm in front of the K-Mart Parking lot. This is both a visibility event as well as an opportunity to learn more information about voting for the November 3rd election as there are 3 referrendums on the ballot that everyone should pay close attention to as they can be difficult to understand.

Additionally, we will be encouraging winter preparation donations for WINN (What I Need Now) & YAB (Youth Action Board) as they assist residents that are unhoused. Items to consider but are not limited to: coats, hats, mittens, blankets, etc. These can be new or used! Donations of ready to eat meals and beverages will also be accepted.

Let's work together to get out the vote and keep our community warm for the winter!

We look forward to seeing you there!

https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/1032315/

Hi La Crosse! I'm a professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance at UW-La Crosse spreading the word about our productions -- the cheapest theatre tickets in town but with very high quality productions.

Our first show of the season is a new play called The Welkin: imagine 12 Angry Men + The Crucible but feminist and way funnier!

England, 1759. A woman has committed a murder. Upon receiving the death penalty, she claims to be pregnant. If true, it would spare her the noose. What they actually, historically would have done back then is assemble a jury of mothers to determine if she's telling the truth. The play dramatizes these deliberation in what becomes a gripping examination of power, privilege, and the silenced voices of women, as each juror’s own history, hardship, and beliefs shape the verdict. Tense, surprising, and darkly funny, The Welkin asks urgent questions about who gets to decide truth, whose lives are valued, and how personal experience becomes political.

Location: Toland Theatre
Lowe Center for the Arts
301 16th St. N, La Crosse

Oct. 16-18 and 23-25
Sunday shows at 2:00 pm
All others at 7:30 pm

Tickets:
$21.75 - Adults
$19.65 - Seniors, Military and Veterans, Non-UWL Students
$9.15 - UWL Students

Tickets available here!

Free parking is available in the brand new ramp located across the street from the Lowe Center for the Arts: called "UWL South Parking Ramp" on Google Maps -- 221 16th St., La Crosse.

I’ll be arriving to La Crosse this weekend with some friends around 4 PM. Wanted to grab an early dinner and most importantly catch the sunset via a hike. we could easily grab something and go as the sunset /evening hike is the priority.

1. Granddad bluff the best spot? We are open to hiking a bit longer or going somewhere else, too!
   
2. What will be a place to get a quick bite and a beer and not wait too long for a table? Maybe a brewery or a distillery?

I have created my own list, but of course love hearing from locals!! Thank you!!

Hello!

Recently moved here and google maps isn't being very helpful... does anyone know if there are any indoor climbing gyms around? I LOVED adventure gym as a kid, and I've always wanted to get into it as an adult, so I was hoping there'd be somewhere with an indoor climbing wall, self-rappelling equipment and even free-climb options?

I don't feel comfortable trying outdoors yet, especially with my adversity toward large bugs, so I want to start indoors around people who can give me tips and tricks.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated, thanks!

hot dogs, paletas, free crafts, pumpkin decorations, mending, and cash prizes for costumes!

Why are there so many monk people in Lacrosse? I didnt even know what a monk person was until i moved here

Anyone know what the fireworks display was for?

Shaundel, you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself. You have the power to help La Crosse deflock, and you outright refuse to acknowledge it.

I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I am so disappointed in how much of a failure this mayor has turned out to be. I am ashamed to say that I voted for him thinking he would be a force for good in the city, and act as a true representative of the people. He has done nothing, he has no plans, and he is simply carrying on the status quo. I will not be voting for him again and I am actively encouraging others to do the same.

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a bad smell around the mall area? Are they doing something with the land fill or something?

I would like to start getting involved with the community.

Hey y'all,

Fostering this buddy for a local shelter in Viroqua, but I have him in LAX for today. Was hoping someone here may be looking for a gentle giant pile of love!

He's such a good boy!

I can answer any questions! Good with kids, not small dogs or cats though. Potty trained, easy to handle on a leash, knows basic commands, hasn't tried to chew anything after a couple days in our house, no food aggression, overall lovely!

I’m new to the area and my bearded dragon is starting to have scale rot. I’m looking for a non emergency vet that takes reptiles. Also if anyone knows of any emergency vets for future use that would me amazing. I tried using the ARAV vet tracker but couldn’t find anything local. Thanks for your help!

My Wisconsin-made independent horror feature, CREATURE FEAR, is playing Monday, October 12 at the Rivoli Theatre. This spooky season movie was made by Wisconsinites for Wisconsinites. Tickets are on sale now: https://tickets.rivoli.net/websales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=1034142\~e3c66030-62d8-4282-9886-16d09f1887f2&

If you can’t make this limited engagement, the film is also available on Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.84e8cad2-5569-4716-8590-bf68d11ba648?ref_=imdbref_tt_ov_wbr_shv__pvt_aiv&tag=imdb-w2w-20

Thank you for your support!

I was looking into getting a new apartment. I used to live through a private renter, but unfortunately he sold all of his homes.

I'm more curious about the gund brewery lofts. I was trying to find posts about them on here but didn't really see much information/experiences.

who do you guys like to go through? I already know how terrible Reliant is. Thanks in advance!

Why is there so many homeless at the main library now, I've seen an uptick in homeless people there, I can't sit down anywhere they take up all the seats and they camp out afterwards all around there, what's going on ?