Fitchburg Alder District 2 Seat 4
Two-year termVote for one
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Gabriella Gerhardt
(NON)
1. How would you evaluate your city’s current efforts to increase the amount of affordable housing? Are there additional steps the city should take to address this issue?
2. How should your city balance the need for development with other concerns, such as public safety, traffic, historic preservation, and conservation of natural areas?
3. What do you see as the top priorities your constituents have for the city council and how would you address them?
4. Describe your specific experience (educational, occupational, civic, and community) that prepares you to effectively address your priorities.
Home municipality
Fitchburg
Home ZIP code
53711
Preferred pronouns
she/her
Progress has been made but there is much work to do. A new housing plan is in final draft and set for a vote on April 14, which will help guide the future. We have already updated the zoning code and leveraged Affordable Housing Fund money to build affordable apartments, reduce energy bills for low-income tenants, and pilot a program for affordable units in market-rate apartment buildings. Future ideas include downpayment assistance and working with local housing nonprofits and developers to create homeownership opportunities, which are badly needed. A full zoning code rewrite is also coming.
New development must always be balanced with the needs of current residents. Supporting public safety staff is a high priority; construction of a new police facility is underway and we are investigating creating a fire district with neighboring communities to better fund our firefighters. Traffic is an important concern, and there is funding for an expansion of bus service in August 2026, making buses more functional for residents. Farmland and natural areas are important to the character of our city, and preservation of these areas is part of our long-term planning, which guides approvals.
Affordability is a top concern, and while much of that is out of our control, we can influence housing affordability and keep the city portion of property taxes (about 1/3) as low as possible; for many years, increases have been below the rate of inflation. This is especially important with recent school district referendums. Maintaining a high quality of life is also important. That means outstanding customer service (i.e. fast snow plowing), investing in our beautiful parks and facilities (i.e. Kids Crossing replacement and pickleball courts), and improving bus service, among other efforts.
My top priorities are housing, sustainability, and public transit. I’m a geologist by training. I lead fundraising at Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, helping shape initiatives that expand affordable homeownership for low-income families. I have been an alder for 6 years. I currently serve as Council President, chair Finance, and sit on Plan, Transportation & Transit, and Housing Advisory Committees.
I have successfully advocated for Hosto Hoci Park, a more affordable police facility ($10 million under budget), and expanded bus & paratransit service (coming Aug 2026). Because of my leadership, the city created our first Sustainability Plan, built a USGS water monitoring station in Swan Creek, and expanded its fleet of electric vehicles.
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