Altoona City Council is correct in its reluctance to rush into naming a permanent city manager, but a question hovers over the hiring issue. That question is: Is there anything about Altoona that is a turn-off to candidates with the experience and mettle to address this community’s various issues and unfinished business while maintaining a […]
The city has a new interim manager. On Monday, City Council voted to accept the return of Interim Manager Joe Merrill to his regular position as chief of police, while also elevating Public Works Director Nate Kissell to the interim manager post. The switch reflects the city’s failure to attract a suitable permanent manager candidate […]
City Council Monday adopted a budget for next year that calls for a half-mill tax hike, increasing the bill for a property assessed at $100,000 by $50 for a total of $563 in city real estate tax. City Manager Omar Strohm initially proposed a budget calling for no tax hike, but it covered a […]
Time and opportunity will be available for Altoona residents, through August, to provide input regarding a new citywide comprehensive plan. Because of all the
An engineer hired by the city has found that the masonry and steel structural members in the former McCrory’s building on 11th Avenue are in decent shape, but