Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Budget Committee of the City of Altoona met on November 20, 2025, to review and recommend the final 2026 budget. Finance Director Tina Nelson presented the budget overview, mill rates, and the impact of the Tax Increment District (TID) #3 closure. The committee unanimously voted to recommend approval of the budget to the City Council.
2026 Budget Overview and Mill Rate Tina Nelson explained the city's budget structure, including the general fund tax levy, enterprise funds, and tax increment district #4. The closure of TID #3 returned significant increment value to the city’s tax base, enabling a $607,000 increase in general operating revenue without requiring $400,000 from reserves. This broader base allowed the local levy to increase while the mill rate decreased by 3.25%. The equalized mill rate is set at $5.00, maintaining eligibility for the expenditure restraint program.
Tax Levy Composition The total local levy is $6.7 million: $3.7 million for general fund operations, $2.5 million for debt service, and $387,000 for the library. The assessed mill rate is 5.30, down from 5.47 last year.
Sample Tax Bills Using a $315,000 home as example:
TID #3 Closure Mayor Brendan Pratt and City Administrator Mike Goloet described TID #3 (River Prairie area), formed in 2001, which generated about $350 million in increment. Closing it expanded the city's tax base, lowered the mill rate, and strengthened the city's financial position, contributing to an AA credit rating that reduced borrowing costs.
Utility and Enterprise Funds Nelson presented the utility budgets for water and sewer. The sewer budget is based on estimated payments under mediation with Eau Claire. The water utility sales have doubled since 2014, requiring additional capital assets.
Capital Projects Nelson reviewed the capital projects schedule, detailing how projects like Vurnham Street are funded from multiple funds. The budget includes $500,000 for fire department land acquisition, pending appraisal. The committee discussed the potential need for a $14 million fire station and its long-term financing implications.
Committee Discussion Committee members, including Mark Willert, noted the city has been funding about $2 million in capital annually and expressed caution about larger future projects. Others acknowledged the city's strong financial position but noted challenges ahead. The 5-year capital plan and strategic planning in December were referenced.
I would like it to be. No. I would I would tend no and don't be offended when I say this. I would tend to lead more towards a team. I mean I've come to the case. I understand a little more. It was probably in progress. So if you get in it now, it should uh be recording in just a uh a second or two. You should be able to get right in it. No, not in the zoom. I have access to it. I didn't have to get the government. If you see Bruce, I hunt it when I was a kid. Yeah. Okay, good job not biting on uh mayor's request. Yeah, yeah. I told him I'm here for him. I sent them as much money as I could. Oh, did you? That's nice. Did you get that forward? Maybe you've got a refreshment. Yeah, I did, but but it's a little bit more than a little bit, but I call it you would read the agenda and Susie got the same thing. She actually bought the gift cards, but they can't know. Susie wouldn't have had that response. I don't think it wasn't very professional. No, but I got that last year. Remember, I kept I kept getting it and I actually fought all these. Why don't you do that? Check the email. Then she'll be able to hear it and see it and put that at the same time. And no, um so the presentation is under Chair Docs, Tina, budget. Yeah, I've heard. Okay, go right now. Okay, so you go under the governor.