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Volume 7, Issue 22, Oct 14, 2024
 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 2024 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-5:00p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p

In this issue:
 • New WisDOT Secretary Boardman to speak at Oct 25 Eggs & Issues
 • Chamber investors meet candidates, Election resources now available
 • United Express Chicago O'Hare flights to begin Dec 13
 • EC County, City of Eau Claire budget processes underway
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
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 "+"

New WisDOT Sec Boardman to join us at Eggs & Issues
   Newly-appointed Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Kristina Boardman will join us at the next Chamber policy breakfast, "Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Transit," on Friday, October 25.
   Boardman was selected for the role by Governor Tony Evers after her predecessor, Craig Thompson, left WisDOT last month for a position at UW-Madison. Boardman moved up from her position as Deputy Secretary and was also previously administrator of the DMV.
   This month's timely program dives into the future of transportation for the Chippewa Valley. As our economy continues to grow, what roles will key modes of transportation play in providing access and mobility for the community and our workforce? Panelists include Debby Jackson, Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin; Charity Zich, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport; Dave Solberg, Eau Claire Deputy City Manager; Ty Fadness, Eau Claire Transit; and Scott Rogers, Eau Claire Chamber and West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. 
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Transit
 • Friday, Oct 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register
New secretary shares vision for Wisconsin’s transportation future (WisDOT)

Just added...
Lunch with Eric Hovde, US Senate Candidate
   Join us for this valuable opportunity to discuss federal issues of importance to the business community with Eric Hovde, the Republican candidate to represent Wisconsin in the US Senate. A light lunch will be provided.
   Note: The Chamber does not endorse candidates but provides investors with opportunities to learn about their views on issues of importance to the business community. No Chamber funds ever go to a political campaign for public office, and any fees collected go only to the Chamber to pay the costs of meeting expenses and its Advocacy Initiative. The Chamber has also invited the Democratic candidate, Senator Tammy Baldwin, to participate in a similar opportunity, and has previously convened issues roundtables with her in the past.
•  Monday, Oct 28, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Light lunch provided)
    Chamber offices, WNB Conference Room 101 N. Farwell St., Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register 

Election resources: Click here for our elections page
 Sit-down video interviews with local Assembly candidates

Next week!
Bravo to Business Awards
   Don't miss this opportunity to join us for the Chamber's annual business awards: Business of the Year (50+ employees), Small Business of the Year (1-50 employees), Emerging Business of the Year, and Resilient Business of the Year. Click the details link below for the list of finalists.
•  Thursday, Oct 23, 5:00-9:00 p.m., The Florian Gardens
    Click here for details and to register 

Also for your calendar...
• What's on your November ballot? - Tuesday, Oct 29
• Economic Outlook Luncheon - Tuesday, Nov 12
• Eggs & Issues: Election Analysis Charles Franklin - Friday, Nov 15
• 2024 Business Solutions Summit - Wednesday, Nov 20

Chamber investors and public meet candidates
Election resources now available
    Local voters in Wisconsin have outsized influence with the upcoming November 5 election. It's a critical state in the race for President, control of Congress and the US Senate, and all-new districts portend a potential shake up of the state legislature. Additionally, there are two state constitutional amendments on the ballot, and the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) is asking voters to approve an four year operational referendum.
   The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but provides resources and information to help investors and the public learn about candidates and their positions on issues.

Voting information
   Election day is Tuesday, November 5. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters may also cast absentee ballots by mail, or in person at their municipal election office on weekdays between October 22 and November 1. 
   To register to vote, find your polling place, request an absentee ballot, or see what's on your ballot, click on the following link: MyVoteWI (MyVoteWI)

Chamber provides opportunities to meet candidates
   In recent days, Chamber investors have participated in opportunities to personally meet both candidates for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District and all 12 candidates for Chippewa Valley area State Assembly districts.
   Rep. Derrick Van Orden, the Republican 3rd District incumbent, met over breakfast on October 1 with Chamber investors; Rebecca Cooke, the Democratic 3rd District candidate, met with investors for lunch on October 11; and the 12 major party candidates for Assembly districts 67, 68, 69, 91, 92, and 93 participated in a public meet-and-greet event on October 10, sponsored by the Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association, REALTORS® Association of Northwestern Wisconsin, Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley, the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, the Menomonie Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau, and the League of Women Voters of the Chippewa Valley.
   Chamber investors may also take advantage of another newly-scheduled opportunity to meet the Republican US Senate Candidate, Eric Hovde, at a luncheon on Monday, Oct 28.
More information:
Luncheon with US Senate Candidate Eric Hovde
•  Monday, Oct 28, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. (Light lunch provided)
    Click here for details and to register 
News coverage:
Van Orden speaks at Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Breakfast (WEAU 13 News)
Van Orden discusses farm bill, dock workers strike, and impacts on farmers (Leader-Telegram $)
Rebecca Cooke meets with Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce (WEAU 13 News)
Cooke meets with Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce (Leader-Telegram $)
Legislative Candidates Meet-And-Greet (WEAU 13 News)

State Assembly - all new districts
   The 2024 Election features all new districts for the Wisconsin State Legislature, with all 99 Assembly Districts and even-number Senate Districts on the ballot this fall. The two Senate Districts most closely associated with the Chippewa Valley, District 23, represented by Jesse James (R-Altoona), and District 31, represented by Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) are not up for reelection until 2026.
   The Chamber has assembled candidate information for six local Assembly Districts - 67, 68, 69, 91, 92, and 93 - including brief sit-down video interviews and its candidate questionnaire on business issues.
Has your district changed?
   To check to see which is your Assembly District for this fall's election, click this link for map, and enter your voting address:
Who are my legislators? (Wisconsin Legislature map)

Local Assembly Candidate Sit-Down video interviews
   The Chamber's Vice President Governmental Affairs, Scott Rogers, sat down with each candidate to learn more about their backgrounds, why they're running, and key issues they'd emphasize if elected.
Click here to see the videos

Good Government Council Candidate Questionnaire
   The Good Government Council (GGC) is a subcommittee of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee dedicated to encouraging voter participation and providing members of the business community with non-biased information about candidates’ positions on important issues. Click the links below to see candidate answers to our Fall 2024 Legislative Questionnaire:
District 67 - Rep. Dave Armstrong (R), Jeff Foster (D)
District 68 - Rep. Rob Summerfield (R), Richard Pulcher (D)
District 69 - Rep. Karen Hurd (R), Roger Halls (D)
District 91 - Rep. Jodi Emerson (D), Michele Skinner (R)
District 92 - Rep. Clint Moses (R), Joe Plouff (D)
District 93 - Christian Phelps (D), James Rolbiecki (R)

"Talking Po!nt" Podcast features John Frank
   Seasoned political observer John Frank talks with Scott Rogers about the key races on the ballot on November 5 and how your vote will have a big impact not only locally but nationally. Learn what's at stake statewide and in local legislative districts. Click here to listen (32:11)

ECASD referendum
   The Eau Claire Area School District is seeking a four year, $18 million annual operating referendum on the November 5 ballot. ECASD says the proceeds would be deployed to ensure "High quality, research based reading instruction and stability of educational programs; Behavioral and mental health resources; Safe school environments; and Appropriate staff-to-student ratios to ensure academic, social, and emotional success for our students."
More information:
Referendum information page (ECASD)
Referendum FAQs (ECASD)

November ballot question aims to amend Wisconsin Constitution to clarify only U.S. Citizens may vote in elections
   The Wisconsin Legislature has placed a question on the ballot that aims to amend the state’s constitution as follows:
   Text: The question on ballots will read, “Shall section 1 of article III of the constitution, which deals with suffrage, be amended to provide that only a United States citizen age 18 or older who resides in an election district may vote in an election for national, state, or local office or at a statewide of local referendum?”
  The authors maintain their primary goal is to prevent any ambiguity in how voting rights are applied in Wisconsin.
   Click here to read a full explanation of this amendment from John Jacobson, Director of Public Affairs, Ruder Ware LLSC

United Express Chicago flights to begin Dec 13
Sun County flights to Ft Myers to return Jan 31 through April 7
   The Chippewa Valley Regional Airport has announced that daily nonstop United Express flights to Chicago O'Hare will begin on December 13.
   United Express carrier SkyWest was selected by the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) to provide daily United Express flights at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU) under the Essential Air Service program for a three-year term. SkyWest Airlines will provide a minimum of 12 roundtrip United Express flights per week, utilizing a 50-seat CRJ200 aircraft.
   Although the airport's EAS service provided by Sun Country Airlines will conclude at the end of November, the airport has worked with Sun Country to continue non-subsidized, seasonal nonstop flights to Fort Myers, FL, twice weekly from January 31, 2025, through April 7, 2025. For seasonal Sun Country service to continue, it will be important for the Ft. Myers flights to experience good ridership.
   Before EAS-supported service ends on Nov 30, Sun Country will continue to offer several flights per week to MSP, twice weekly flights to Las Vegas through Nov 18, and Ft. Myers flights on Nov 21 and 29.
More information:
Current flight information (Chippewa Valley Regional Airport)
Book Chicago flights and connections (United Airlines)
Book seasonal flights to Las Vegas, Ft. Myers (Sun Country)

Want to know more? Airport Director Charity Zich will be one of the speakers at the Chamber's next policy breakfast:
Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Transit
 • Friday, Oct 25, 7:00-9:00 a.m. Click here for details and to register

First Eau Claire County Budget hearing Tuesday 
   Eau Claire County will hold public hearings on its 2025 budget at its County Board meetings on Tuesday, Oct 15, and Wednesday, Nov 6.
   According to a County news release, "The budget process maps a strategic workplan while assigning dollar values for services provided. It is an opportunity to take stock of the community, and the role Eau Claire County government assumes in defining the community. The budget is a planning tool for financial and operational resources; and reflects the County’s determination to allocate resources responsibly. It was prepared with the goal of preserving services to the residents, visitors, and businesses of the County; balancing priorities and compromise between competing needs for limited funding; and being responsive to our citizens."
More information: 
Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Oct 15, 7 p.m. Meeting information
   2025 County Budget information (Eau Claire County)
   Online form for budget input (Eau Claire County)
   News release - budget process (Eau Claire County)
Eau Claire County looks at recommended budget (Leader-Telegram $)

EC City Council gets 2025 budget process underway
   The draft 2025 operating budget for the City of Eau Claire was released on October 4 and was the topic of a public discussion at last Monday's City Council meeting. The Council also held a budget work session following its Tuesday meeting.
   According to the City Manager's Budget Message at the beginning of the document, "The 2025 Proposed Budget for the City of Eau Claire, not including the capital budget, totals $190,288,829. Compared to the 2024 Adopted Budget, this represents a total increase of $11.4M, or 6.4 percent," said City Manager Stephanie Hirsch in the message. "The operating budget for the City of Eau Claire is comprised of various funds. The General Fund accounts for most of the City's core service and represents 50.71 percent of the total operating budget, followed by Enterprise Funds (23.89 percent), Special Revenue Funds (12.49 percent), Debt Service (7.21 percent), Internal Service Funds (5.44 percent), and Component Units (0.26 percent)."
   Hirsch emphasized efforts to address financial challenges. "We need to address our structural deficit before it significantly impacts our City services and resident quality of life," she said. "Eau Claire has struggled with fiscal constraints for the past 30 years. Prior City leadership team members have turned over every stone to find efficiencies. In that time period, though the City and expectations grew, staffing levels have fallen."
   According to Finance Director Kitzie Winters, the Council will hold another work session on Oct 22. Budget amendments from Council members will be due Nov 8, there will be a public discussion on Nov 11, and Council action will take place on Nov 9.
More information:
Click here to see the full proposed 2025 operating budget (City of Eau Claire)
2025 proposed fee schedule (City of Eau Claire)
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Oct 7, Public Hearing Agenda Packet (4 pages)
    2025 Proposed Operating Budget (City of Eau Claire, opengov.com)
 • Tuesday, Oct 8, Legislative Session Agenda Packet (74 pages)
    Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
    City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire)
    Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
City Budget: Budget Process and Current Documents (City of Eau Claire)
Adopted 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan (City of Eau Claire)
City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
Tax levy limits a large factor straining City of Eau Claire’s operating budget (Leader-Telegram $)

Fall District Discussions
   City leaders are continuing a series of sessions in various neighborhoods to discuss the budget and other topics. Sessions coming up include:

• North Side: Wednesday, October 16th, 6 to 7:30PM, Northstar Middle School Cafeteria (District Discussions - North District)
• Central: Thursday, October 17th, 6 to 7:30PM, Senior Center (Share Facebook event here: (District Discussions - Central District)

Zoning code rewrite process continues with Oct 28 meeting
   The City's Zoning Policy Advisory Committee (ZPAC), comprised of the City Council and Plan Commission members, will hold its next meeting on Monday, Oct 28, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at the LE Phillips Memorial Public Library. The Committee will discuss proposed Chapter 8 access & mobility and Chapter 10 subdivision standards. The City is currently working on a comprehensive rewrite of its zoning code.
More information:
Zoning Policy Advisory Committee
• Monday, Oct 28, 4 p.m. Meeting information
   Link to draft codes (City of Eau Claire)
   Project website (City of Eau Claire)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Plan Commission
2024 Work Program
• Monday, Oct 14, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet

Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority
• Wednesday, Oct 16, 7:30 a.m., Meeting information