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Volume 8, Issue 24, Oct 27, 2025
 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire, Wis.
Published the first business day of each week
Business Advocate Past Issues
Public Meetings Calendar
Chamber Events Calendar
The Chamber's Advocacy Principles
The Chamber's Business Issues Agenda
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
How to become a Chamber investor
Contact: Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-5p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p

In this issue:
 • EC City Council, CVTC Board meet on budgets this week
 • "Bravo to Business" Award winners to be revealed next week
 • Report: Legislative issues focus at recent Eggs & Issues
 • Sep inflation rate pegged at 3%
 • Food for thought
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Join us for our next policy breakfast...
Eggs & Issues: Our Energy Future
   Join us at this edition of Eggs & Issues as we delve into the topic of energy generation, demand, and reliability. How do federal policy changes affect our Wisconsin utilities and their future plans? What are the impacts of growing energy demand from AI technology, data centers and electric vehicles? What's the future of nuclear generation, renewable energy resources and the infrastructure and education needed to support them? Participants in our discussion will be Brent Ridge, President and CEO of Dairyland Power Cooperative, Monica Obrycki, CEO of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, and Karl Hoesly, President of Xcel Energy in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Event information:
• Friday, Nov 21, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register  

Coming up next week...
Bravo to Business Awards
   The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the finalists for the 2025 Bravo to Business Awards, which honor businesses for excellence, innovation, and community impact. Finalists represent a range of industries and sectors, each contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Chippewa Valley. Categories include Resilient Business of the Year, Young Professionals Best Place to Work,  Small Business of the Year, Business of the Year, and Emerging Business of the Year.
Event information:
• Wednesday, Nov 5, 4:30-9:00 p.m., The Florian Gardens
   Click here for the list of finalists, details, and to register  

Also for your calendar...
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, Nov 18
• Business After Hours - Monday, Dec 8
• Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast - Friday, Dec 19
• 2026 Human Resource Conference - Thursday, Jan 15
• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Madison, Thursday, Feb 19

EC City Council meets this week
No Monday Public Hearing; Budget work session on Tuesday
   The Eau Claire City Council meets this week, with Monday's Public Hearing cancelled because there were no agenda items requiring one. On Tuesday, the Council will act on a request for an Aerial Encroachment for the residential units under construction above the downtown transfer center (see pages 70-76 of the Agenda Packet linked below), and will act on the operating plan for the Water Street Business Improvement District (see pages 77-95). 
2026 Budget process
   After Tuesday's meeting, the Council will hold a work session on its 2026 proposed operating budget. Amendments from Council members are due on November 3, the Council will hold a formal public hearing on November 10, and adopt the 2026 Operating Budget on November 11. The budget foresees spending $100.8 million next year, a 4.5% increase over 2025, and includes an increase in the Local Vehicle Registration fee from $24 to $50.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Oct 27, 6 p.m., Public Hearing (Canceled)
 • Tuesday, Oct 28, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (127 pages)
   Click here to send an email to all City Council members
   Click here for individual contact information for each City Council member
   Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
   City of Eau Claire Public Notices (City of Eau Claire)
   City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
Budget-related information:
City Manager's Weekly Update with budget comments - Oct 3 (City of Eau Claire)
Eau Claire City Budget development timeline (City of Eau Claire)
Budget Process and Current Documents (City of Eau Claire)
2026 Proposed Operating Budget (City of Eau Claire)
City Manager's Budget Message (City of Eau Claire)
District Discussions return ahead of Eau Claire city budget hearings (WQOW News 18)

CVTC district board to vote on tax rate, levy Monday
   At its regular board meeting on Monday, the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) District Board is set to establish the tax rate for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Proposed is a reduction in the tax rate to slightly less than 64 cents per $1,000 of valuation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, down from 65 cents in 2024-2025. This reduced rate is attributed to the increase in new construction and property values.
   Caleb Cornelius, CVTC vice president of administration and chief strategy officer, said new construction in the CVTC district, which includes 11 counties, increased by 1.76 percent, and overall property values increased by nearly 8.94 percent. However, the College’s proposed tax levy is set to increase by 4.99 percent from 2024-2025. Cornelius said continual increases in costs to the College, including debt service costs, are the reason.
   The District Board will vote on the levy increase of $1,392,162 at the meeting as well. The approved tax levy for fiscal year 2024-2025 was set at $27,914,925 and is set to increase to $29,307,087.
   With the reduced tax rate -- the rate property taxpayers would pay per $1,000 in valuation – a person with a $150,000 home will pay $95.82 in property taxes for the year to support the technical college. The CVTC board is required to certify its levy by November 1 each year.
More information:
Chippewa Valley Technical College District Board
• Monday, Oct 27, 1 p.m. Meeting information and agenda
   2026 Proposed budget (CVTC)
CVTC proposes a decrease in tax rate, increase in tax levy for 2025-26 (Leader-Telegram $)
CVTC board to decide on tax rate reduction and levy increase Monday in Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)
CVTC district board to vote on tax rate, levy Monday (WEAU 13 News)

Other local budgets being completed
   With local governments operating on a calendar year basis, each county, municipality, and school district are in the process of completing their 2026 operating budgets. To get the status of a particular local government budget, check its website.

Eau Claire County
   The Administrator's proposed budget was released at the end of September, and the Committee on Budget and Finance has conducted joint meetings with each County Board Committee. It held its first public hearing this week at the Tuesday, October 21, County Board meeting. Adoption is planned at its November 12 meeting.
More information:
County 2026 Budget page (Eau Claire County)
Budget Timeline (Eau Claire County)
Major departments see increases and cuts in 2026 Eau Claire County budget (WQOW News 18)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule
Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, Oct 27, 6:30 p.m. Meeting information
Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Oct 27, 5:30 p.m. Meeting information (Budget Hearing)