March 26, 2026
See below questions asked by the Chamber, and the following "responses" from the listed candidate.
Candidate: Steve Spina
Running for: Candidate for District 21, Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
Collaboration and Regional Leadership: Many issues — from economic growth to environmental protection — require collaboration beyond the county’s borders. How would you work with other governments and stakeholders (the City of Eau Claire, City of Altoona, surrounding counties, the state government, and local tribes) to advance common goals? Please give specific examples, such as partnering with cities on shared services or infrastructure projects, collaborating with school districts on youth programs, or advocating at the state level for legislation that benefits Eau Claire County. Additionally, how will you engage with constituents and the business community to ensure the County’s policies reflect the needs of Eau Claire County
Response: "As agents of the state government for local disbursement of federal and state monies, there is quite a bit of built-in overlap with other entities inside the county, so for maximum efficiency, we must collaborate. Because the county board does much of its work at the committee and commission level, the specific areas of my involvement will be driven by my committee assignments. At the state level, I am eager to partner with our local delegation to advocate for the Chippewa Valley on a long list of legislative priorities that have languished for the last 15 years such as getting increased shared revenue, more support for our local hospitals and PFAS mitigation for our water. And with regard to the local business community, I intend to be an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, and I will use chamber events to meet folks and listen to the needs of our local business
community."
Workforce and Economic Development: What steps do you think Eau Claire County should take to alleviate the worker shortage impacting our region’s economy? In your answer, consider both the County’s role as an employer (how to fill critical positions like in public safety or human services) and its role in the broader economy (supporting job training programs, childcare access, or transportation for workers). How would you, as a County Board member, work with the business community and educational institutions to grow and retain a skilled workforce in Eau Claire County?
Response: "Eau Claire County should continue to support CVTC as they quickly adapt and
flex to meet our region’s workforce requirements. And of course, housing, transportation, healthcare and affordable childcare are also important components in helping our workers choose to stay in Eau Claire. Finally, we need to continue to invest in the quality of life in our area (including outdoor recreation, the arts, and clean air and water), to attract workers from outside of the county to relocate to Eau Claire County."
Housing Availability: Housing affordability and availability are vital for our workforce and community stability. What actions can the County Board take to support the development of more affordable and workforce housing in Eau Claire County? Would you advocate for County policies that incentivize housing development (for example, utilizing idle county-owned land, adjusting zoning in rural areas for housing, or collaborating with cities on housing projects)? Please share your approach to addressing housing needs across the county, including smaller communities and rural areas.
Response: "The Eau Claire County Human Services department is leading a community-wide effort called Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative that is setting out a
multi-pronged approach to our housing crisis, with special focus on keeping everyone in our community housed. I am eager to support this work and to learn more about what the county can do to effectively influence the housing supply overall."
Fiscal Responsibility: Eau Claire County has encountered budget deficits in recent years. How would you approach the county budget to ensure fiscal responsibility and taxpayer value? Discuss your stance on spending priorities and potential cost-saving reforms – for instance, are there services that could be delivered more efficiently, or areas where you see potential revenue growth (through grants, partnerships, or economic growth) to avoid placing the burden on property taxpayers? If state funding remains flat, what tough choices would you consider to keep the budget balanced?
Response: "This is an area in which I will ask detailed questions and expect to take some
months to come up to speed on all the pros and cons of different tough decisions. We have a competent staff that will bring the County Board options, and I will use my skills in bridge-building to listen to my colleagues on the Board, knowing we will keep our people a top priority in creating solutions to our budget constraints."
Business Climate and Infrastructure: In what ways can the County Board foster a healthy business climate and support economic development? Please address county services or policies that impact local businesses – such as maintaining and improving county highways and infrastructure, supporting broadband expansion, ensuring timely zoning and permitting processes, and any economic development programs the county should pursue. How will you ensure that Eau Claire County is seen as a partner to businesses and not an obstacle?
Response: "Of course, maintaining and improving county highways and infrastructure,
supporting broadband expansion, ensuring timely zoning and permitting processes, and supporting certain economic development programs are essential in fostering a healthy business climate. I have no doubt that we can be very conscious in our choices so we also do not sacrifice the quality of life for our residents and also prioritize the environment."
Health and Human Services/Public Health: What are your priorities for the County’s health and human services programs? With health and human services comprising the largest share of the budget, how will you ensure we effectively address issues like mental health care, the opioid/fentanyl crisis, care for seniors and veterans, and public health preparedness? Do you support current initiatives (such as expanding crisis mental health training or treatment programs) and what new initiatives, if any, would you champion to improve community health outcomes?
Response: "I care deeply about the health and well-being of our residents. Keeping everyone healthy is the best way to prevent long-term individual and community suffering. And I strongly believe that this is also the most cost-effective strategy. So, we need to expand our health programs (including mental health) in order to minimize for more intensive interventions later. However, I DO support experimenting with ways to evaluate the long-term quality and effectiveness of any new public health training or treatment programs. Existing waste needs to be discarded, to make room for evidence-based progress. I intend to learn more about all the services currently provided, and I will advocate for best community outcomes."
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