I think it’s time we start asking some tough questions about accountability in county government.

A couple of years ago, the County Board approved $3 million in ARPA funds to help Couleecap and Catholic Charities buy homes for families facing homelessness. That program, called Thriving Families, had good intentions. But the Board made it clear at the time - no extra county funds would be used for rent guarantees or other ongoing expenses.

Fast forward to 2025. Without a vote from the full Board, the Executive Committee quietly changed that agreement. The amendment now commits taxpayers to cover rent shortfalls and even utility payments on those same homes. That’s an open-ended financial obligation that never went through the proper approval process.

Even the county’s own paperwork shows that this amendment required Board approval. Yet it was still signed and executed. That’s not just bad policy - it’s a serious breach of public trust.

Taxpayers have a right to know who authorized this, how much has already been paid out, and whether these hidden commitments are buried in next year’s budget.

County government should operate in the open, not behind closed doors. We can do better than this. La Crosse County residents deserve honest, transparent leadership and a Board that respects both the law and the people who fund it.