Who is county admin beholden to?

County transparency, topic rundown

City v. County administrator

Creating city admin position

When La Crosse County created an admin 

County changing funding requests

Trading the La Crosse Center

Outside funding requests changes

Impact of federal funding cuts

Jane Klekamp in studio, as we dissected her role as La Crosse County administrator, particularly in relation to the city of La Crosse potentially creating a similar position. We also discussed the potentially devastating impact of federal funding cuts to the county, and entertained the hypothetical of trading the La Crosse Center.

The first half of the conversation focused on Klekamp's role as county administrator, how the position was established, and what the city of La Crosse might consider if it decides to create its own administrator role.

Next, we delved into a hypothetical of the city trading ownership of the La Crosse Center to the county — a topic that stemmed from a past La Crosse Talk conversation on regionalizing assets to reduce the tax burden on city residents.

We then shifted to the county board’s ongoing work on funding requests from outside organizations. In the last budget cycle, several nonprofits asked for and received funding through last-minute amendments, but the board is now considering changes to that process.

Lastly, we examined the potential consequences of federal funding cuts on the county, with Klekamp highlighting how reductions in Medicaid funding could significantly affect residents in county-run nursing homes.

Since this conversation, Republicans in the US House passed a resolution that included directing the committee that handles Medicaid health care spending to come up with $880 billion in savings over the decade, which would be the bulk of what’s needed to offset the cost of the tax breaks.

 

Jane Klekamp in studio, as we dissected her role as La Crosse County administrator, particularly in relation to the city of La Crosse potentially creating a similar position. We also discussed the potentially devastating impact of federal funding cuts to the county, and entertained the hypothetical of trading the La Crosse Center.
The first half of the conversation focused on Klekamp's role as county administrator, how the position was established, and what the city of La Crosse might consider if it decides to create its own administrator role.
Next, we delved into a hypothetical of the city trading ownership of the La Crosse Center to the county &mdash; a topic that stemmed from a past La Crosse Talk conversation on regionalizing assets to reduce the tax burden on city residents.
We then shifted to the county board&rsquo;s ongoing work on funding requests from outside organizations. In the last budget cycle, several nonprofits asked for and received funding through last-minute amendments, but the board is now considering changes to that process.
Lastly, we examined the potential consequences of federal funding cuts on the county, with Klekamp highlighting how reductions in Medicaid funding could significantly affect residents in county-run nursing homes.
Since this conversation, Republicans in the US House <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/2025/02/26/whats-next-for-trump-agenda-after-house-gop-approves-tax-breaks-and-slashed-spending-in-budget/">passed a resolution</a> that included directing the committee that handles Medicaid health care spending to come up with $880 billion in savings over the decade, which would be the bulk of what&rsquo;s needed to offset the cost of the tax breaks.
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WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.