La Crosse airport reorganization approved to add operational capacity and rescue coverage

The Finance & Personnel Committee unanimously approved a reorganization at the La Crosse Regional Airport intended to add operational capacity and ensure continuity for aircraft rescue and firefighting coverage.

An airport official said the resolution creates an airport operations manager position while removing the business manager classification by reclassifying that role to deputy director. The net impact, the official said, will be a modest budget increase in 2027—estimated at $20,000 to $22,000—because the reclassification removes one position and the airport expects increased revenues from new air service and fee adjustments.

Committee members asked what would happen if anticipated revenues do not materialize. The airport official said the airport could draw on reserves for 2027 if necessary and did not foresee longer-term issues because of projected increased service and fee schedules tied to carriers.

The reorganization also adds a trained individual in aircraft rescue and firefighting; the director said that having another trained person helps sustain 24-hour shift coverage when staff are sick or on vacation.

The committee voted to adopt the reorganization resolution unanimously.