City Council Legislative Session October 13th, 2026. 4PM

The Eau Claire City Council’s October 13, 2026 legislative session included procurement and funding discussions alongside a first work session on the proposed 2027 operating budget. The council unanimously approved amendments to the city’s business loan programs, including increasing the startup-loan maximum from $25,000 to $35,000, raising its interest rate from 4% to 6%, and lowering the expansion-loan minimum from $10,000 to $5,000. The changes also shift certain loan-related costs to borrowers, including actual third-party costs and $300 per hour for borrower-requested changes. Staff said a proposed agreement with the Planning Commission to handle some underwriting and loan-administration work may come to council by year-end; the arrangement could add about $1,650 in administrative costs per new loan. Staff aim to reopen applications by January 2027, and said grant funding may be pursued to expand the revolving loan funds.

The council received and unanimously accepted Downtown Eau Claire Inc.’s annual report. DECI described its city-funded work supporting four business improvement districts, including coordinating vendor services and payments for items such as garbage, landscaping, banners, and snow removal. It reported spending more than $85,000 annually to produce free community events, including approximately $24,000 for the new Water Street Fair; the city’s proposed 2027 budget includes a tentative allocation for continued support. In the budget work session, staff presented a proposed $198 million city budget, said capital improvement funding would remain at the prior year’s level, and cited rising contracted costs for police camera systems and communications equipment. No related contract awards or vendor selections were made at this session.