[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6348863,"mediaKeyId","2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99","parentId",2240057,"title","Councilors report slight uptick in homelessness, call for more services and caution on state tax cuts","audioSeconds",361,"startMs",2576000,"endMs",2937000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99&start=2576&end=2937","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99/thumbnail_2576000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348863/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Councilors-report-slight-uptick-in-homelessness-call-for-more-services-and-caution-on-state-tax-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348863-3263b6a934ff406a51368eb8591b282b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206969&Signature=YU7OqCFI~8esLM3VWduyE5LRbxBUXGdPEv2EXfWdZeBj2OyyvM~mXYTlviOO4bl5~cNlpY~ziJOj8uU7iVYL-UHC3400POSNyjbOgForIlERvli5lfWA3UICjJ~9mfKF-WAmHcoTr3DxyWTL6dXngnv1EXdOVkgfFQo8JP41QIkVTVCt5LS978M-CYKM2vu4QKJvlw5Z-W~e-4E0tgnGMp-gqHPp982otQBZfUrrTd~CZwr7XiSnsXaV0TbS4LDnuTxE5pwLKenEjJlsWkhTFpmMZL3wuM~DOwXBbfzbOvJlegU8wC7CrGvmX2TOC-HAJnZ29QlaNmsL5fYESkLZsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-05T14:06:58Z","article","Councilors at the Feb. 4 Casper City Council meeting reported preliminary findings from local homeless-coalition discussions and urged continued coordination to expand services amid limited per-capita funding from federal sources.

Councilor Bond said the coalition’s early data “preliminarily ... seemed to indicate that there was a slight uptick in the number of homeless individuals homeless or unstably housed individuals in Casper.” Bond described strong local collaboration among service providers and participation by downtown-business representatives.

Councilor Gamroth urged caution about funding shortfalls and noted a vote taken by coalition members to create a new continuum of care to access additional resources. Gamroth said, “Wyoming currently receives $369 per person for homeless services for the year,” and contrasted that with higher per-capita funding in other states and territories, noting the gap limits what local providers can deliver.

Several councilors flagged state-level tax proposals under consideration in the legislature and warned of downstream effects. Councilor Sweeney and others noted a senate file that would cut property-tax obligations by 50 percent without backfill; Sweeney said that while such a reduction may appeal to homeowners, “in the long run, what services will have to be cut because of the lack of revenue” is a concern for cities and special districts.

Why it matters

Councilors framed the issue as a balance between seeking additional funding and avoiding policies or practices that could unintentionally concentrate demand for services in Casper. They said higher per-capita funding would be needed to support case management, transitional housing and workforce readiness services.

Next steps

Councilors said Community Action Partnership and coalition partners will refine the point-in-time data and report demographics and service needs at a future meeting; the council did not take a formal vote on municipal policy during the Feb. 4 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 4th, 2025 | City of Casper Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Several councilors reported preliminary point-in-time data suggesting a small rise in homelessness and urged more services and care in responding to proposed state tax reductions that could reduce local funding for services.","taxTitle","Casper, Natrona, Wyoming","taxId",3791,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6348868,"New Casper Celtic Irish Festival seeks city support for July event",242,464000,706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99&start=464&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99/thumbnail_464000.jpg","/articles/6348868/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/New-Casper-Celtic-Irish-Festival-seeks-city-support-for-July-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348868-87b5d2428a79027b7813bd8e27d87558/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206969&Signature=TbDBnqDwz7cIDtpx25ps99oh-Pmr6Je4A5eG39Ya~B0N-uGFe~ihmPljtDFiYGrVR3oZcWbYNQgzZx9vgbqBUG-0SFDhWFKH1e-c0GVmgcQAcxHvKy9Ib7aidZPGQaucmqZd4E3y2Tb7skjDyBpF9W9qxzptyvM1cbXQaVRKaHZq6xnM~XYJ~qQyhmiib9GGjh-YVS4FecxhjT96ew9mgmhdEMdZnZSwmaXRsYzeCxamHvZI~AyhdzTncr~Efts17yzu-Qb7cyvqhgKXLIZ1SU48w26wiOxc2bniREIWMYfGwe3HIri5Pr2NtHGzkD5dTodHy7vKWybjcSUSJOuCRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amber Christiansen, speaking for the newly formed Casper Celtic Irish Festival, asked the council on Feb. 4 for city support as the group prepares a debut event for July at the Nicolaysen Museum.

“We are a brand new nonprofit, 501(c)(3), and we are bringing Irish culture and music to Casper this summer,” Christiansen told the council, outlining plans for two stages, artisan and food vendors, whiskey tasting and a headline act, Colum Keegan, a former member of Celtic Thunder.

Christiansen said organizers hope to attract at least 500 attendees with a goal of 2,000 and noted the group is a strong candidate for a grant through the Irish government’s consulate in San Francisco. She asked for the council’s help with promotion and local sponsorships to encourage private-sector backing.

Council response

Councilor Pollock said she had met with Christiansen and suggested the event could be “a worthy candidate for a proclamation” from the mayor. Vice Mayor expressed personal support. Several councilors and staff asked Christiansen to leave contact information with city staff so the city can follow up.

Why it matters

If funded and promoted, the organizers say the festival aims to bring tourists and cultural programming to Casper and to grow the event over 5–20 years. The organizers also signaled intent to pursue external grant funding and to market the event regionally.

Next steps

Christiansen was asked to share contact information with the city manager and chief of staff so staff can follow up on possible proclamation or other city support; no formal council action was taken during the meeting.","An organizer asked the Casper City Council to support a proposed July Celtic festival at the Nicolaysen Museum, saying the nonprofit aims to attract visitors from several states and is a candidate for an Irish government grant.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6348871,"Council adopts $26.8 million budget amendment, approves multiple liquor-license transfers, development ordinances and contracts",146,952000,1098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99&start=952&end=1098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2240057-863c900bf41ce1dcd7d1f9d91e6d6b99/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/6348871/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Council-adopts-268-million-budget-amendment-approves-multiple-liquor-license-transfers-development-ordinances-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348871-5a766449a7f7d59f530b657a5f684d7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771206969&Signature=g82ToYOHtM6h3BIXQJWxt3QX8YcHSAYz3n0HCU2s5GLH8XLAmO8yQ08N-qHEz3GhnmN5BpDjQ1Pl0HvipcjoYy6SJoDEY9JvrZrQUu0eDnHZcsfL4i7q0ss4Dw533G~duiTDzsRUxe31rwqMpWnfDMRnz54vCxE~uf-nhbFNwTALp6rBm0VYg3PSBCyjYF-e~OTDPvUZljjDgJYsfMUiIKX-1arCuHnhERS2a4MybqTZc296aY8jq2Zmx4Gy0RCSINxcIww5yGvaSgJMo50Sk-3UwqLZNmTv7xNINZSQaKZv79dlI9~IDCjcYho51~pHi9qoWzbMBtWbTkbvtn7D2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Casper City Council on Feb. 4 adopted a second amendment to the fiscal year 2025 budget and approved a string of routine and development-related items, including several retail-liquor license transfers and a new microbrewery license for downtown.

City Manager Jay Carter Napier summarized the amendment as “an opportunity that you have to consider the second amendment for the fiscal year 25 budget,” telling the council the $26,800,000 amendment is largely offset by new revenue.

The amendment adds roughly $26.8 million to the current budget, of which about $26.3 million is offset by new revenue. Napier said that includes roughly $16.7 million tied to specific voter-approved projects and nearly $6 million awarded as a grant from the Wyoming Water Development Commission for work toward a water reservoir; the packet also included just over $400,000 from the wastewater treatment fund for a comprehensive facilities plan for the wastewater treatment plant. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Second amendment to FY2025 budget (resolution): moved by Councilor Jensen, seconded by Councilor Pollock; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Key numbers read into the record by the city manager: $26,800,000 amendment; ~$26,300,000 offset by new revenue; ~$16,700,000 voter-approved projects; ~ $6,000,000 Wyoming Water Development Commission grant; ~$400,000 wastewater fund.

- Retail-liquor license transfers (minute actions): the council approved multiple ownership-transfer applications with routine motions. Outcomes included several abstentions by Councilor Pollock and two abstentions (Councilors Gamroth and Pollock) on one transfer: all four of the transfers read into the record passed. Specific approvals included transfers for license numbers 22 (Wyoming Spirits Inc. d/b/a Second Street Liquor and Wine), 15 (Wyoming Liquor LLC d/b/a Wyoming Discount Liquor), 21 (Wyoming Downs OTB 12 LLC d/b/a Wyoming Downs OTB 12), and 2 (Red Lobster Hospitality LLC d/b/a Red Lobster). Recorded abstentions were noted in the meeting minutes and are reflected in the council’s roll calls.

- New microbrewery license: the council approved new microbrewery liquor license number 12 for Mountain Hops Brewhouse LLC, 101 E. Second St.; motion moved by Councilor Sweeney, seconded by Councilor Haskins. Councilor Pollock abstained; all others voted aye.

- Development ordinances on second reading: the council approved on second reading a Robertson Road zone change, annexation/plat and zoning for the Patent Addition subdivision, and a vacation and final plat to create the Fort Casper Academy Addition No. 2 subdivision and the associated subdivision agreement. All three ordinances passed with all councilors voting aye on second reading.

- Consent resolutions and professional services contracts: the council adopted a bundle of consent resolutions authorizing change order No. 2 for the Sam H. Hobbs wastewater treatment plant motor control center replacement; an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant assistance agreement for a street lighting master plan; an amendment to elevator hydraulic-jack replacement work at the Ford Wyoming Center; geotechnical work for the Tower Hill tank stabilization project; an amendment for architectural and engineering work related to the ice expansion project; and agreements and an MOU for the Platte River Commons master plan and economic impact analysis (RDG Planning & Design). The consent resolutions were adopted on a single motion, unanimously.

- Consent minute actions: routine equipment purchases were approved, including one new golf-course bunker rake and one midsize utility vehicle for the wastewater treatment plant; these passed unanimously.

Procedure and context

Most items passed with little substantive debate at the council dais beyond the city manager’s budget report and brief staff descriptions of license and development items. Public hearings were opened and closed on several items with no public commenters for or against, and the council recorded votes and abstentions where applicable.

The council scheduled its next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, and moved into an executive session after a motion passed by the required two-thirds majority.","At its Feb. 4 meeting, the Casper City Council adopted a second amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget and approved several retail-liquor license transfers, a new downtown microbrewery license, three development ordinances on second reading and a set of consent contracts and change orders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors report slight uptick in homelessness, call for more services and caution on state tax cuts

New Casper Celtic Irish Festival seeks city support for July event

Council adopts $26.8 million budget amendment, approves multiple liquor-license transfers, development ordinances and contracts