La Crosse City Council last week blessed a new annual agreement to continue the school resource officer program with the school district.

The council had to vote because the treaty has implications for the city budget.

La Crosse police chief Shawn Kudron says the city will save money for SROs under the new deal.

“Currently (the Memorandum of Understanding) is for 3 SROs,” at a cost of $ 150,000, says Kudron. “This is a reduction from our previous contract with the school district, which previously cost $ 100,000 more.”

Councilor Mark Neumann said it was important for the city to back up its contract with the school district.