Hubert Hoffman, 19th District Supervisor, La Crosse County Board of Supervisors

Hoffman stands in Opposition to $51Million in NEW debt

6/18/2015

La Crosse County Board Supervisor Hubert Hoffman (District 19) was the lone dissenting vote against adding an additional $51 Million to La Crosse County debt.

Hoffman stated that his as yet unborn grandson would be in college and the La Crosse County taxpayers would still be paying for this borrow and spend policy that many on the board are so quick to accept.

In addition, Hoffman joined with seven other supervisors who stood in opposition to a 4-Year, $1.3 Million contract for the County Administrator. Hoffman felt it unreasonable to as the majority of La Crosse County taxpayer (making less that $50,000 per year) to pay such an exorbitant salary.

Cost of HHS Addition DOUBLES

4/7/2015

As part of the "New Administrative Center" project, an addition to the existing Health and Human Services building was planned. In order to "sell" the project to the public, taxpayers were told the addition would come at a cost of $3.4 Million. Today the members of the Administrative Center & Downtown Campus Construction Committee were informed the costs had nearly doubled and was now estimated to be in excess of $6.1 Million.

Hoffman said, "The County has and continues to add 'optional' or 'non essential' personnel for years. These are individuals that are not required to support the services La Crosse County is required to provide by Federal or State law. This policy has lead to the need to double the scope of the HHS remodel."

Hoffman Saves Taxpayers over $500,000

3/17/2015

At the previous meeting of the Administrative Center & Downtown Campus Construction Committee, an option was introduced to rearrange the county board seating. Instead of keeping the current seating arrangement, which has worked for decades, the committee was pressed to approve an increase in excess of $500,000 to the already expensive remodel of the old Associated Bank Building, for a new County Board meeting room.

Hoffman reminded the committee that the La Crosse County Board cannot just keep piling debt onto the County taxpayer. After much discussion, the committee agreed with Hoffman and decided not to pursue such an expensive County Board room option.

Hoffman Appointed to the Administrative Center & Downtown Campus Construction Committee

2/19/2015

Supervisor Hoffman was appointed to the Administrative Center & Downtown Campus Construction Committee. This committee will oversee the three phases of the new administration center construction (Build out in the Law Enforcement Center, Addition to the Health & Human Services building, Remodel of the Associated Bank building). "The goal will be to complete the project(s) on schedule without increasing the cost to the residents of La Crosse County."

Vehicle Registration Fee (Wheel Tax) Tabled

1/15/2015

At the La Crosse County Board monthly meeting, the vehicle registration fee "wheel tax" was again brought forward for consideration. The regressive tax is something that Supervisor Hoffman has disagreed with and worked to prevent for several years. Hoffman stated, "I am glad the residents of La Crosse County were so vocal in their opposition to the terribly regressive tax. At a minimum this tax is something that should only be implemented via a binding referendum but, once again 62% of the county board opposed letting the people vote." Tabling of the ordinance prevents it from going forward at this time but, Supervisor Hoffman urges La Crosse County resident to be vigilant. "Like the terminator, I'm sure the 'wheel tax' will be back."

Vehicle Registration Fee (Wheel Tax) Returns

1/5/2015

La Crosse County has once again decided to consider implementing one of the most regressive tax options available, a vehicle registration fee of $20. District 19 supervisor Hubert Hoffman spoke in opposition to the “wheel tax” in November of 2012, and again in November of 2014. Today, both the Public Works & Infrastructure and Executive Committees approved a $20 vehicle registration fee. Supervisor Hoffman is urging all residents of La Crosse County to contact their La Crosse County board representatives and urge them to vote against this measure.

Hoffman concerned about County Debt Service

11/13/2014

Hoffman voted against the $191.4M La Crosse County Budget and in opposition to placing this excessive tax burden on the residents of La Crosse County.

Supervisor Hoffman stated, "The 2014 budget included an 8% increase in 'Debt Service', and the 2015 budget, as presented, included another 7% increase with planned increases for the next two to three years. Continued increases of this magnitude are unsustainable. We cannot continue to borrow at these levels."

Hoffman works to stop vehicle registration fee (Wheel Tax)

11/12/2014

Today, Supervisors Richmond and Hoffman moved to have the La Crosse County Ordinance requiring a $20 per vehicle yearly registration fee sent back to the committee. Hoffman stated, "This concept has been brought up before and was overwhelmingly rejected by La Crosse County residents." In addition, Hoffman urged the residents to stay vigilant as this is bound to come back before the board.

Supervisor Hoffman also worked with supervisors Burke, Doyle, Kruse, and Berg to secure a $40,000 grant from La Crosse County to aid in the reconstruct and rehabilitation of the Fred Funk boat landing in the Town of Onalaska, which gives access to Lake Onalaska. Funding for the grant came from the environmental impact fees payed to La Crosse County as the result of the CapX2020 transmission line and resulted in no increase in taxes for La Crosse county residents.

Hoffman takes issue with Borrowing for Roads

11/3/2014

La Crosse county Board Supervisor Hubert Hoffman stated his concerns over borrowing money for road reconstruction. "We need to set priorities in our budget, and then budget accordingly. By borrowing money for road reconstruction now, we are ensuring our children will still be paying for these roads in the future."

Others on the La Crosse County Board have referred to borrowing to pay for road projects as “a shell game.”

Hoffman calls in to question the extending of benefits to La Crosse County Board Supervisors

9/18/2014

As part of the 2014 La Crosse County budget, the county board voted in the fall of 2013 to stop providing health insurance (at taxpayer expense) to the elected county board supervisors effective January 1, 2015. Today, over the concerns of several members including Hoffman, the La Crosse County Board voted to continue to offer taxpayer funded health insurance to a select few on the County Board.

Supervisor Hoffman stated, "I find it troubling that some 'special' supervisors would tell voters one thing BEFORE the election, and then go back on their word after the election."

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