The year 2009-10 was a fair year for the City of Onalaska! In spite of the local economy , the sales tax revenue for the City of Onalaska came close in each quarter, allowing us to meet our budget requirements, with  just a few reductions in expenditures, Even at the relatively slow rate of decrease, this is a marker that the area as a whole is experiencing an economic downturn. Budgeting for 2010-2011 reflects the weakness in anticipated revenue.

Looking at the future, we have to decide to work together to attract new and profitable businesses to our area. It will take a unified effort on the part of City Government, current business owners, and citizens alike, to draw new business to Onalaska.

Our Police Department under the leadership of Chief Ron Gilbert is working tirelessly to continue the cleanup effort in our City. Junk cars and trashed yards are being cleaned up. Our City Council is moving to rid our City of unsightly, unsafe, and dangerous structures throughout Onalaska. The dog ordanance is currently on hold awaiting the completion of the new animal control facility by the county. Efforts to beautify our City are everywhere. Business owners are painting, and cleaning and repairing, new businesses are moving in slowly but surely.

The change is obvious. Onalaska is on the grow! The Polk County Economic, Industrial Development Board says that some 15 to 20 major corporations are looking at moving to Polk County. These things take time to secure, but men and women are working to benefit our citizens. Large commercial developers have moved into our area and are purchasing property many acres at a time.

Controlling growth is absolutely necessary if we are to maintain our country City charm. Managing signs and billboards in our City is a responsible answer to growth. Our Ordinance Review Committee comprised of citizens, business owners, and City Council members is working hard to review current City code in light of relevancy and future growth.

Our Building Inspection department under the leadership of Roy Newport is growing with the times. Roy is attending school after school to increase his skills in working with new development.

Our City library is providing services under the leadership of Librarian Jenny Quintin. We hope that all of our citizens will take advantage of the opportunity to use our library. Jenny works hard to ensure that the latest in technology and literature are available to all citizens. The new shelving has made a real improvement in the Library.

Our Municipal Court is under the headship of Judge David Johnson. Our Court is a credit to the community! Fairness and objectivity are the order of the day.

The Onalaska Volunteer Fire Department has responded to numerous calls in 2009-10 with a majority being medical in nature. Chief Roy Newport is about to retire and Jay Stutts will take the helm for the next 20 years or so, our firemen work and train tirelessly to make sure you have the very best in care if the need should arise. Our annual Barbecue is scheduled for the last week in April every year, please make sure you support this worthwhile event for your community!

City Secretary, Angela Stutts and the City Clerk of the Court Barbara Hupp, work together to ensure that our City business is attended to on time. These ladies put in many volunteer and unpaid hours for the City of Onalaska; my hat is off to them.