Altoona · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Altoona public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Affordable Housing Fund
A partnership with Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity to provide critical home repairs and yard cleanup for low- and moderate-income homeowners, cutting typical repair costs nearly in half.
2027 Library Budget
The library is asking the city for about $7,000 less next year because surging circulation and county aid are covering costs. Usage is booming — book clubs, a 1,000-kid summer reading program, outreach to seniors — but the building is running out of space.
2027 Recycling Fee Increase
Your recycling bill goes up $2 next year, from $18 to $20, as program costs rise faster than funding.
Assistant City Administrator pay reclassification
Council bumped the Assistant City Administrator role up one pay grade to keep Roy Atkinson around as part of succession planning — a national search to replace him could cost six figures.
TID 3 closure and TID 4 remaining balance
TID 3 closed out, sending $6.2 million to the affordable housing fund and $4.5 million to pay debt. TID 4 still carries a negative balance of about $794,000 that future property tax revenue must cover.
2025 City Finances and Audit
The city closed its 2025 books and accepted its audited annual financial report after a clean presentation from auditor CLA — a busy year with TID closures and affordable housing projects coming online.
Levy limits and state revenue structure
Officials noted the 1.57% net new construction levy limit will make the operating budget tight, and commented that Wisconsin's state revenue formula — in place since 2005 — needs overhaul rather than higher property taxes.
Police union contract
The council approved a two-year police contract (2027-2028) with 3% raises each year, worked out in closed session after the union ratified it.
Safe Steps home improvement program
A partnership with Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity to provide critical home repairs and yard cleanup for low- and moderate-income homeowners, cutting typical repair costs nearly in half.
Mayor and council salary increases
First pay review since 2019 raises each official's compensation by $1,500 a year, phased in after each seat's next election.