La Crosse Weighs Property Tax Hike to Fill Gap

Council president Tamra Dickinson says the city needs more time to settle a competing city administrator proposal before the Monday budget vote.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in City Hall

Flat-color editorial illustration of a brick municipal building facade beneath a pale sky, with a single flagpole, in deep navy, cream, and brick red. — The La Crosse City Council is weighing a property tax increase to close a $681,000 budget gap as it considers two competing city administrator proposals before Monday's vote. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should La Crosse raise property taxes to close its budget gap instead of using reserves?

The La Crosse City Council faces a $681,000 budget gap, and its budget committee favored raising property taxes rather than using city reserves. Council president Tamra Dickinson discussed the proposed tax increase and two competing city administrator proposals on The Rick Solem Show.

Why it matters

The council's decision on whether to change the budget committee's property tax recommendation will shape how La Crosse closes its shortfall before approving next year's budget. The competing administrator proposals also raise questions about how the position would be created and funded.

The city's $681,000 budget gap is being addressed through a property tax increase recommended at $13.60 per $100,000 of property value, a figure that has risen by $5 since the budget committee met. Whether the full council will adopt or change that recommendation remains unresolved before Monday's vote.

The players

Tamra Dickinson

Tamra Dickinson is the president of the La Crosse City Council, and she discussed the tax and administrator proposals on The Rick Solem Show.

Shaundel Washington-Spivey

Shaundel Washington-Spivey is the mayor of La Crosse, who authored a non-charter proposal for creating a city administrator position.

The details

The budget committee favored raising property taxes instead of using city reserves to cover the gap. Two competing proposals to create a city administrator position are before the council: a charter ordinance authored by two council members and a non-charter proposal from Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, which would allow future changes without a supermajority. Dickinson said the council needs more time to work through what the position would do and how it would be funded.

Last month (October 2026): The budget committee favored raising property taxes.
Monday, November 9, 2026: Dickinson appeared on The Rick Solem Show, and the full council holds its budget meeting.
Fall 2026: Voters approved creation of a new city healthcare committee.
April 2027: Council Districts 1-6 are up for election.
Next year (2027): The city's $8,000 contract with Flock ends.

City Hall Context

The competing proposals reflect a choice under La Crosse's governing framework between a charter ordinance and a non-charter proposal, which differ in how future changes can be enacted. The non-charter route would allow changes without needing a supermajority, a distinction central to how the administrator role would be structured.

Residents could see a property tax increase if the council adopts the committee's recommendation to close the $681,000 gap. The outcome of the city administrator decision will determine how city operations are managed and funded going forward.

The takeaway

The council's final budget vote will determine how La Crosse closes its shortfall, so residents should watch Monday's meeting. The city administrator proposals may also affect how future city decisions are made.

What happens next

The full council takes up the budget at its Monday meeting, where it could change the property tax recommendation before final approval. Council Districts 1-6 face voters in April 2027.