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City Administrator: Myths vs. Facts
The City of La Crosse has been discussing a change to how our local government works. In October 2024, former Mayor Mitch Reynolds formed a working group to explore the adoption of a City Administrator. The working group has put together information to help the community understand how a City Administrator would change our local government.
In this blog, we'll look at some of the common myths about the role of a City Administrator, share challenges faced under our current system, and explore how a City Administrator could improve our local government.
Habitat for Humanity and our advocacy partners support hiring a City Administrator. Read on for more information about this proposal, and click below to share your thoughts via survey.
MYTH #1: A City Administrator would replace the Mayor.
Some people worry that hiring a City Administrator would take power away from the Mayor. That’s not true. The Administrator would work alongside the Mayor, handling daily operations so elected leaders can focus on big-picture goals like policy, vision, and community outreach.
The City Administrator would oversee department heads and provide centralized guidance to all staff. In our current system, it is not always clear who oversees the department heads. Generally, they report to the Mayor, but the City website also states that Council can oversee heads of department, and final hiring and firing approvals run through Council. The many channels of communication make it difficult to streamline city projects and accomplish clear policy goals.
MYTH #2: This position is unnecessary under our current system.
La Crosse has a weak mayor-council system. Department heads report to the Mayor and the Mayor conducts performance evaluations, but all hiring and firing is approved by Council. A City Administrator would streamline communication and improve coordination between departments by being the central staffperson that the Council supervises.
Right now, communication can be complicated and processes can get muddled. Council members can be deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of city staff. Political pressure can affect decisions, and frequent changes in leadership make it tough to stick to long-term plans.
Note: the current proposal for City Administrator has the position reporting to Council, but this is not the only possible way to structure the role. Other municipalities have a mix of Council and Mayor oversight.
MYTH #3: It’s too expensive to hire a City Administrator.
The proposed salary ($186,645–$194,423) is a strategic investment.
Research shows that cities with professional administrators:
- Spend less per capita
- Have fewer staff vacancies
- Are more likely to adopt data-driven reforms
- Improve budgeting accuracy and grant acquisition
MYTH #4: Elected officials can manage city operations just as well.
City Administrators typically hold advanced degrees in public administration and are trained in:
- Budgeting
- Personnel management
- Strategic planning
- Intergovernmental relations
Unlike elected officials, they don’t need to “learn on the job” and can provide immediate, expert leadership. With regular council turnover during election cycles, this can create issues with continuity and consistency.
MYTH #5: A City Administrator wouldn’t impact housing.
A City Administrator would play a key role in supporting housing development. They would:
- Coordinate zoning, permits, and housing programs
- Track progress on long-term housing plans
- Support grants for affordable housing
- Share data and policy ideas with the City Council
- Build partnerships with nonprofits, developers, and employers
With a City Administrator in place, La Crosse could move faster and more effectively on housing goals.
MYTH #6: This will reduce democratic control.
The City Administrator would not be elected. Instead, they would be hired by the Common Council, which ensures strong oversight and accountability.
The Mayor and Council would still make all policy decisions. The Administrator’s job would be to carry out those decisions and manage daily operations—making sure city services run smoothly and efficiently.
MYTH #7: It won’t make much difference.
Cities with professional administrators report:
- Greater efficiency in service delivery.
- Improved strategic planning.
- Better staff performance and morale.
- Longer leadership continuity. (average tenure: 7 years)
La Crosse is an outlier among Wisconsin cities
Did you know La Crosse is the largest city in Wisconsin without a City Administrator? Every city in the state with a larger population has one. Even cities about the same size—like West Allis, Sheboygan, and Fond du Lac—have hired administrators to help manage growth and the increasing demands of local government.
Leaders and residents in these cities say their administrators have made a big difference. They’ve improved efficiency, helped with long-term planning, and built public trust through steady leadership.
Smaller nearby communities have also seen success with professional administrators:
- West Salem has a Village Administrator who helped guide land development and improve transparency.
- Onalaska’s City Administrator has boosted efficiency and made city roles clearer. Mayor Kim Smith praised the better coordination between departments.
- Holmen’s Administrator has helped manage fast growth while keeping quality of life in focus.
- La Crescent has had the same Administrator for nearly 10 years, helping the city stay on track with long-term goals.
More and more communities are choosing professional administration. It helps cities run smoothly, plan for the future, and handle complex issues like housing, infrastructure, and grants.
La Crosse’s current system - why it's not working
La Crosse uses a weak mayor system. That means the mayor doesn’t have full control over city operations.
Right now, executive authority is split between the city council, boards, and department heads. Decisions often need council approval or are made by committees. Staff may report to different elected officials, which leads to mixed messages and slow progress.
This setup creates confusion. Elected officials often don’t have the training to manage city departments. And with leadership changing every few years, it’s hard to keep long-term plans on track.
How a City Administrator can help
A City Administrator would be the go-to leader for city staff. They’re trained in budgeting, planning, and managing people—skills most elected officials don’t have.
They also bring stability. While mayors and council members come and go, a City Administrator stays through election cycles. That helps the city follow through on big projects like housing and infrastructure.
Looking forward
The myths surrounding the City Administrator role often stem from misunderstandings about how local government functions and what professional management can offer. As La Crosse continues to grow and face increasingly complex challenges, it’s time to consider a structure that matches the scale and needs of our city.
A City Administrator wouldn’t replace elected leadership; they would enhance it by bringing expertise, consistency, and strategic oversight to daily operations.
Investing in a City Administrator is not about spending more, it’s about getting more from every dollar, every department, and every decison.
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Stories
Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.