At the Altoona City Council meeting on Thursday, January 8, City Administrator Mike Golat updated members on a list of projects he submitted for consideration in Governor Jim Doyle’s request for a $3.7 billion federal stimulus package for the state of Wisconsin. Although it is unknown how much money the state will receive and how much will trickle down to individual municipalities, Golat felt the list submission was a proactive move.

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мебели   Thanks to increased costs for public services, lower operating budgets, and a dismal economy, the city of Altoona began the new year with two financial challenges: Address the almost $400,000 shortfall in the 2009 budget, then deal with the $1.8 million shortfall still owed on tax increment district (TID) #3, which encompasses River Prairie, between 2010 and 2012. On Monday, January 5, officials held a meeting to update residents on the situation and provide an opportunity for suggestions and feedback.

   Altoona has joined the Citizen Alliance for Strong Communities (CASC) for the Eau Claire area. CASC is a non-partisan organization, meaning it is not affiliated with any political party. Its purpose is to keep local public services in place, decrease the use of property taxes to pay for public services, encourage state funding in local public services and structures, and involve community members in the reformation of the state revenue system.

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   At the Altoona Parks & Recreation Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 6, members discussed the pros and cons of raising fees for the Altoona Youth Softball and Baseball Association’s use of city fields.
   During the 2008 season, AYSB field usage cost $6,645.83. Subtract the association’s annual $3,500 contract payment and $1,400 in tournament fees, and the final cost for taxpayers was about $1,800.

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   Having approved the 2009 budget in November, the city of Altoona is now looking to its financial future – a future that, unfortunately, contains a significant budget shortfall.
   Specifically, the city’s debt payments for tax increment district (TID) #3 – which encompasses the River Prairie development – will increase from $445,600 in 2008 to $795,000 in 2009. An additional $55,000 allocated to the TID next year for staff time spent working on it brings the total debt payments to about $850,000. However, the funds available to pay that debt only total $483,502. This leaves that district with a 2009 shortfall of $398,502.
   To address that shortfall, city administrators will hold a public meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, in the Altoona High School auditorium.

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   At their meeting on Thursday, December 18, Town of Washington Board members discussed a request for the installation of streetlights from a resident who lives on Whitetail Drive. For a variety of reasons, the board ultimately decided against the proposal.

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   At the Altoona Parks & Recreation Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 16, members discussed the pros and cons of raising rental fees for the city’s parks facilities and fields.

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   Tough economic times often necessitate taking tough economic measures, and the Altoona Youth Hockey Association is doing just that. In an effort to raise more money and follow through on previously agreed-upon upgrades to Altoona Hobbs Sports Center, which the AYHA rents from the city for $1 every year, the AYHA asked Altoona City Council members to consider a revised capital improvement plan that pushes back major improvements like coil replacement and new concrete installation to 2012 and 2014, respectively.

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   From Monday, December 1 to Tuesday, January 6, Altoona residents who wish to file nomination papers for municipal positions in the city of Altoona may do so at Altoona City Hall from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; nomination papers are available there and on the city’s website, http://www.ci.altoona.wi.us.
   The following positions are up for re-election:

• In District 4, (Wards 8 and 9): An Alderperson, for the term of two years, for the seat held by Ray Henning.
• In District 5, (Wards 10 and 11): An Alderperson, for the term of two years, for the seat held by Brendan Pratt.
• In District 6, (Wards 12 and 13): An Alderperson, for the term of two years, for the seat held by  Colleen Weber.

   Questions about these municipal positions can be answered by calling (715) 839-6090.  
   One seat on the Altoona School District Board of Education is available for the April 7 spring election. Candidates for this three-year term must file nomination papers no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2009. Paperwork is available in the district office from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Questions about this school board position can be answered by calling (715) 839-6032.

   The Town of Washington Board moved to accept appointments to fill two open positions at the recommendation of Town Administrator Micheal Peterson at their meeting on Thursday, December 4.
   The board appointed Janelle Henning to replace Peterson as town administrator in April.

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