Council refers charter ordinance revising department-head appointments to 30 days

The La Crosse City Council voted to refer a proposed charter ordinance (26-0894) that would amend sections of the municipal code related to appointment of certain department heads to a 30-day discussion period.

Attorney Maddie explained the ordinance grew from a review of the employee handbook and addressed three primary purposes: separating combined responsibilities (noting the finance director and HR director had been combined in some duties), deleting an obsolete La Crosse Center manager position, and adding a one-year probationary period for department heads and making the transit director a 'for cause' position after probation. "What I did was I submitted an updated report and I identified the 3 things... some of the charter ordinances are obsolete because you as a body have made decisions," Attorney Maddie said. (Attorney Maddie)

Councilmember Trost moved to refer the ordinance for 30 days to allow time for a larger discussion about municipal government options and to provide members time to consider significant charter changes; Councilmember Bedford seconded the referral. The referral passed by thumb vote and the ordinance was placed on a 30-day calendar.

Next steps: Staff and council will revisit the charter ordinance at a future meeting after the 30-day referral period.