March 26, 2026
See below questions asked by the Chamber, and the following "responses" from the listed candidate.
Candidate: Jett Allsage
Running for: Candidate for District 4, Altoona City Council
Workforce and Business Growth: As Altoona grows, how would you support local employers in finding the workers they need? Do you have ideas for attracting new talent to Altoona (or retaining local graduates), and how can the City partner with the Chamber or others on workforce development initiatives?
Response: "If elected, I would support local employers finding workers they need by expanding apprenticeship programs and investing in our local graduates. This will keep great talent right here and elevate our city through the strength they provide. Altoona employers should be competitive to retain and attract new talent, creating opportunities within our community, for our community is a huge priority for me. I’m interested in continuing partnerships with the Chamber in addition to any organizations looking to showcase our community. Ways we can work together is by hosting job fairs, training programs, and leverage these relationships to seek grants, state and/or federally. Another way we can invest is in mentorship programs that connect our students with local businesses."
Housing Development: What is your plan to ensure Altoona has adequate and affordable housing for all income levels as the city expands? Do you support Altoona’s current efforts to encourage mixed-use and higher-density developments, and what additional policies (such as incentives for affordable units, fast-tracking development approvals, or partnerships with developers) would you advocate to address housing needs?
Response: "Altoona is growing and there is no room for us to get these things wrong when it impacts everybody. We can adopt inclusionary zoning to ensure new developments have affordable units. Altoona has a great history of being business friendly so we can develop those critical partnerships with developers for mixed-income projects. On a case by case basis, the city may be inclined to look at offering incentives for affordable housing. While I do support increased efforts for mixed-use developments, higher-density developments should be carefully considered based on a multitude of factors. Mixed-use developments create an environment that allows the community to find great businesses to engage with and opportunities to provide workforce housing that is missing in our city. High-density developments should take into account the surrounding environment such as the placement and zoning, as well as input by our neighbors. In addition, fast-tracking approvals for developments should be done only after a thorough examination of the documents. Altoona has wonderful, locally renowned developers that have shown they can meet and exceed expectations for responsibly managing their developments."
City Budget and Fiscal Outlook: Altoona has managed to invest in new facilities (like a fire station and future library expansion) while slightly reducing the property tax rate[13][14]. Looking ahead, how will you maintain fiscal health amid growth? Please discuss your approach to budgeting – for example, prioritizing expenditures, using one-time TID revenues or grants, and ensuring city services (utilities, roads, public safety) can be funded sustainably as demand increases.
Response: "My neighbors know I will fight for predictable taxes. When the city makes investments in our community, you should expect them to seek ways to minimize the bill to residents, as a member of the Altoona City Council I will do just that! I am the only candidate who will protect the paychecks of our residents. My approach to budgeting is to focus on non-negotiables such as essential services and investing in aging infrastructure. Altoona should invest in quality fixes to the city roads, sidewalks and safe neighborhoods!"
Economic and Business Environment: What steps would you take to sustain Altoona’s business-friendly environment and support economic development? This might include improving infrastructure (transportation, broadband, etc.), revitalizing commercial areas, attracting new employers, or regional collaborations. How would you balance the needs of established businesses with encouraging new startups and developments in Altoona?
Response: "I think someways we can continue Altoona’s legacy of being business-friendly and bolster economic development in our growing community by making those aforementioned critical infrastructure improvements so businesses know we can provide them with ready-to-go infrastructural needs to grow our city. We can look into streamlining paperwork for applications by simplifying forms and having them easy to access and understand. I am a huge fan of showing off our local food scene and other businesses. Altoona can hear directly from the start ups to hear ways we can improve the system. I also know through partnerships like Visit Eau Claire, Altoona is able to show off its startups and inspire many more!"
Community Health and Safety: With Altoona’s population growth, what are your priorities for public health and safety services? For instance, how will you ensure the new Fire Rescue/EMS facility improves emergency response for residents? Would you pursue any public health initiatives at the city level (in coordination with Eau Claire County’s health department) or support programs for community well-being, such as park expansions or recreational opportunities that promote a healthy lifestyle?
Response: "Safety in Altoona should continue to guide the council in many situations from new developments to rezoning. Residents should know I will work with anybody to ensure the quality of service only increases with the potential new fire station building. One way we can do this is by making sure its placement is in a centrally located area with easy accessibility to the community. I am open to improving walkability, expanding green spaces in our city and investing in the infrastructure our city needs to grow. I think the City of Altoona can lead public health education campaigns. These would cover topics like nutrition, preventative care, access to healthcare, among many other topics."
Collaboration and Regional Issues: Altoona is part of the greater Chippewa Valley economy. How do you envision collaborating with neighboring governments and schools on issues that cross city lines? Possible areas include joint planning with Eau Claire on transportation or housing, partnering with the Altoona School District on youth initiatives, or working with county/state officials on regional transportation, tourism, or economic development projects that benefit Altoona’s residents and businesses.
Response: "I definitely think partnering with local schools can prepare our students for the workforce, and creating those opportunities allows them to explore different avenues of career paths within our community. The city should continue open/ongoing conversations on how to tackle challenges that cross city lines. Through expanded regional partnerships with the county and nearby cities, the challenges we face can be met with problem solving! With the help of our community, creating an Altoona that is resilient for generations is a key priority of our campaign for Altoona City Council. You can join the campaign and elect Jett Allsage for Altoona City Council on April 7th!"
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