Andrew Dowd

Eau Claire city reporter at the Leader-Telegram.
Lifelong Wisconsin resident and graduate of UW-Eau Claire.
[email protected]

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Today's #EauClaire City Council meeting is coming to a close.
This is the last meeting I intend to live-tweet because Friday is my final day at the Leader-Telegram.
(Moving on to another job, another employer, but staying in Eau Claire.)

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

On the vote on the #EauClaire wheel tax, council members Jill Christopherson and Larry Mboga cast the dissenting votes.
Those in favor were council President E. Berge, council members J. Gragert, A. Werthmann, C. Johnson, J. Schoen, E. Anderson and K. Felton.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire City Council votes 7-2 to enact a $24 per vehicle wheel tax. This applies to 53,600 vehicles registered in the city. It will generate $1.29 million annually for roadwork.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Amendment that would add a Dec. 31, 2026 sunset date to the wheel tax proposal fails in a 4-5 vote of the #EauClaire City Council. Discussion on enacting a $24 per vehicle fee continues.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Today's meeting is moving right along. #EauClaire City Council is now speaking about the proposed $24 vehicle registration fee.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Upcoming event in #EauClaire:
National Night Out, 5:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1, in Carson Park.
The free celebration features over 40 exhibitors, magic show, live music.
This is the 29th time Eau Claire has celebrated National Night Out.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Today's #EauClaire City Council meeting has begun. Attendance: 9 of 11 council members present. Councilmen Roderick Jones, Joshua Miller absent today.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Tonight's #EauClaire City Council meeting is ending after just about an hour and 20 minutes.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire City Council is now asking questions about the new proposal to establish a $24 local vehicle registration fee (aka a "wheel tax").

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Tonight's #EauClaire City Council meeting has begun. Attendance: 9 of 11 council members present. Councilmen Joshua Miller and Roderick Jones absent tonight.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire City Council unanimously approves 2024-28 Capital Improvement Plan, including restored $ for affordable housing, energy efficiency, participatory budgeting and $250,000 contribution to new @EauClaireHumane shelter.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire City Council is now taking up amendments to city's proposed 2024-28 Capital Improvement Plan.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Upcoming events in #EauClaire:
• Summer Jazz Crawl, Saturday, downtown and Phoenix Park.
• JONAH Multicultural Festival, Aug. 20, Phoenix Park.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire City Council awards $1.23 million roadwork contract to Skid Steer Guy of Mondovi.
This contract is for portions of Meadow Lane, Rudolph Road and Old Town Hall Road.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Today's #EauClaire City Council meeting has begun. 10 of 11 council members present. Councilman Roderick Jones is absent today.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

Eight people spoke to the #EauClaire City Council during the public discussion on the 2024-28 Capital Improvement Plan. Most said they appreciated the proposed amendment and compromise to provide $250,000 to the @EauClaireHumane shelter project.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

@ecwiscott We could hear it pretty well as someone was speaking to the #EauClaire City Council in City Hall downtown.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire City Council members Kate Felton and Andrew Werthmann are talking about amending the city's proposed 2024-28 Capital Improvement Plan. This would restore $ for affordable housing, energy efficiency, participatory budgeting and ½ of the contribution to @EauClaireHumane

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

#EauClaire plans to use state drinking water loans to pay for upgrades in water system to get rid of PFAS.
But the city also is optimistic it will get reimbursements from settlements that PFAS-producing companies are making, per Finance Director Kitzie Winters.

[Andrew Dowd @ADowd_LT]

First up tonight is a public discussion of the #EauClaire's proposed 2024-28 Capital Improvement Plan. The plan was also subject to a public discussion last month as well.
This is leading up to a vote on the plan scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.