For Altoona, 2025 could prove to be pivotal to the point of being reminiscent of the “new” Mountain City that evolved during the course of two decades, the 1960s and 1970s.

The 1960s and ’70s — the major redevelopment decades — established a positive foundation upon which the city has, since, continued to build and to establish new strategies and strengths, despite formidable obstacles and setbacks along the way, many money-related, some not.

With a new comprehensive plan in place, the city has the opportunity to pursue multi-faceted improvement, perhaps not on the fast-paced scope or scale — or sheer volume — of what was witnessed in the ’60s and ’70s, but potentially just as significant, in its own way, as what took place back then.

But it will take time for the many pieces of the city’s proposed moving-forward puzzle to align in a way that provides a sense of permanence.

Cognizant of all that, this city’s leaders — those elected and appointed — have an important question for which to deliver an answer. That is whether they believe they have the stamina and backbone to remain committed to what the plan envisions, no matter how uncomfortable that support might become at times.

Although optimism and support are prevailing now among people who have participated in or observed closely what led up to having the comprehensive plan in place, the fact is that perhaps most city residents have unintentionally or intentionally ignored what has been happening on the city government front.

Therefore, they might not realize that important tax decisions affecting them have been made — given that the city’s 2025 budget was adopted Monday — until they receive their 2025 city tax bill several months from now.

While those individuals might be unhappy initially, they should pause to consider that their additional tax obligations won’t be unreasonable amid the big picture of what it will help accomplish, such as improved sidewalks, streets and curbs, along with better recreational facilities.

Councilman Dave Ellis acknowledged that Altoona residents are not accustomed to increases such as those approved Monday — a property tax increase of 1.5 mills and an earned-income tax increase of 0.1%. However, investment is what makes the difference between a municipality on the move toward improved times and a municipality mired in boring sameness.

Councilman Jesse Ickes’ comments at Monday’s session merit repeating because they present a picture — a truth — as to why many young people over the years chose to leave Altoona in order to have a more prosperous life.

Many of those young people took their talents elsewhere for opportunities that weren’t available here, largely due to a contentment with sameness.

“We can’t be for them; they’re for progress,” was a woman’s comment at a meeting of the former Altoona Area Taxpayers League many years ago.

What would have been the city’s fate if she had acquired a large following that opposed progress at every turn?

Unless there is some serious reason not to do so, support the city council’s 2025 budget decisions; give them a chance. Don’t be content with Altoona sticking to “average” when it has the assets to be much greater.

Help make 2025 pivotal for all the right reasons.