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Volume 8, Issue 21, Oct 6, 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:
 • City of EC draft budget would increase wheel tax to $50, highest in state
 • New City of Eau Claire Zoning Code now in effect
 • EC Plan Commission: Metropolis expansion
 • UWEC Foundation sells former Sacred Heart site to Commonweal
 • Chamber "Bravo 2 Business" award finalists announced
 • State, regional, federal, and economic news
 • 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 "+"

Eggs & Issues: State Budget and Legislative Update
  After completion of the state budget this past summer, the legislature continues its session until early next spring. At this Eggs & Issues breakfast, we'll get updates on how Chippewa Valley priorities fared in the final state budget (click to see: 2025 Chippewa Valley Rally Issues), look at pending legislation and its potential importance to our area's economy, and discuss how you can help advance key initiatives important to business. The discussion will be led by John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware, and Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Senior Director of Governmental Affairs. We'll also get legislative perspectives from Republican State Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, and Democratic Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), a member of the Assembly Minority Leadership.
Event information:
• Friday, Oct 17, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
  Click here for details and to register  

Last chance... registration closes at 3 p.m. today
Local Candidate Training Workshop
   If you've ever considered running for a local elected office, want to assist with a campaign, or just wondered what's involved, make plans now to attend this workshop. You'll learn which offices will be on the ballot in the Spring 2026 election and the basic details of filing and running for office. You'll also have a chance to hear what it's really like to run and to serve from a panel of current and former local office holders.
   To be on the ballot for the April 2026, election, candidates must circulate petitions this December, with a filing deadline in early January and a possible Primary Election in February. This workshop is a timely opportunity to consider what's involved in order to make an informed decision.
   The instructor for the workshop will be Melissa Kono, UW-Extension, co-author of “How to Run for Local elected Office in Wisconsin.” Staff members from CVHBA, RANWW, and the Chamber will assist with the program.
   The closing panel will include former Eau Claire County Board Member Melissa Janssen, former Eau School School Board Member Phil Lyons, Altoona Mayor Brendan Pratt, Eau Claire City Council Members Ethan Reed and Jessica Schoen, and Eau Claire County Clerk Sue McDonald. There is no charge to participate, but advance registration is required.
Event information:
• Tuesday, October 7, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Chippewa Valley Home Builders Assn
   Click here for details and to register  

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Oct 6
• Chamber & CVTC Business Community Breakfast - Wednesday, Oct 29
• 2025 "Bravo to Business" Awards - Wednesday, Nov 5
• Eggs & Issues: Our Energy Future - Friday, Nov 21
• Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast - Friday, Dec 19
• 2026 Human Resource Conference - Thursday, Jan 15
• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Madison, Thursday, Feb 19

City of Eau Claire draft budget would increase
wheel tax to $50, highest in state
   The City of Eau Claire has released its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating budget. It foresees spending $100.8 million, a 4.5% increase over 2025.
   Proposed revenue increases in the budget include raising the Local Vehicle Registration Fee (LVRF) by $26, to $50, estimated to bring in $1.19 million, and paid downtown parking in the second half of the year "which will allow for a reduction of approximately $350,000 in general fund subsidy to the parking fund," according to City Manager Stephanie Hirsch in her October 3 City Manager's October 3 Weekly Update. The proposed wheel tax rate would make the City's the highest in the state after Fitchburg, which went to $40 in August. City of Eau Claire residents also pay a $30 County LVRF.
   "As we finalize the 2026 budget, we continue to weigh whether to ask more of residents or to reduce services," Hirsch wrote. "These are decisions that impact our quality of life, the strength of our local safety net, dynamics of our community partnerships, and our ability to continue to attract new residents and businesses."
   Hirsch said the budget "is the result of extensive analysis and difficult decisions by staff and Council. The budget document includes highlights from 2025, outlines new and ongoing projects for 2026, and discusses the fiscal challenges we face in maintaining City services."
   Hirsch said among the City's priorities for 2026 are the following:
   - An update to our Comprehensive and Strategic Plans;
   - Continued planning for construction of an updated Public Safety Training Facility and a new westside Fire Station;
   - A comprehensive study on how we can improve trash collection;
   - Work on and improvement to our parking management systems, in conjunction with rollout of paid downtown parking;
   - A focused effort to improve constituent services across all divisions and departments;
   - A shift of resources to allow us to prioritize economic development;
   - Continued major infrastructure work, including on bridges and roadways, and including decision making regarding parking garages and several other significant projects.

   The City Council will act on the budget in November. 
More information:
City Manager's Weekly Update - Oct 3 (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)
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 of Eau Claire Zoning Code now in effect
   The City of Eau Claire's comprehensive zoning code update went into effect on October 1. Dubbed the "Century Code Update," a two-year process led to a complete revision of the code. The City's broad project goals were to "Improve Housing Affordability and Availability," "Enhance Community Character," and "Integrate Sustainability."
  See previous issues of the Business Advocate for coverage of the Chamber's involvement in the process to advance its priorities of housing supply and affordability for the community. 
   The City of Altoona is also working on a zoning code update, which City officials say they hope to complete this year.
More information:
Eau Claire Century Code Update website (City of Eau Claire)
Land Development Ordinance (LDO) (City of Eau Claire)
Century Code Update Live October 1, 2025 (City of Eau Claire news release)
City of Eau Claire's Century Code Update becomes implemented Oct. 1 (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire's new Land Development Ordinance goes into effect (WQOW News 18)

EC Plan Commission: Metropolis Action City Expansion
   The City of Eau Claire Plan Commission meets Monday evening, with a site plan on its agenda for a proposed 49,000 square foot expansion of the Action City complex at the Metropolis Resort. See pages 52-74 of the Agenda Packet linked below.
More information:
City of Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, Oct 6, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet (74 pages)
Eau Claire's Action City plans major expansion (WQOW News 18)
Metropolis Resort announces expansion of Action City (WEAU 13 News)
Interview: Metropolis Announces Major Expansion (WEAU 13 News)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar
Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Oct 6, 7 p.m. Meeting information
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Oct 7, 7 p.m. Meeting information
Eau Claire City Council Strategic Planning Sessions
• Tuesday, Oct 7, 4 p.m. Environmental Sustainability Virtual meeting
• Wednesday, Oct 8, 4 p.m. Community Engagement Virtual meeting
City of Eau Claire Housing Opportunities Commission
• Wednesday, Oct 8, 5:15 p.m. Meeting information
Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Oct 9, 6 p.m. Meeting information