[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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",6150121,"mediaKeyId","5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a","parentId",5509451,"title","City staff reports program consolidation in priority-based budgeting; matrix due in 30 days","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",2374000,"endMs",2523000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a&start=2374&end=2523","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a/thumbnail_2374000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6150121/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/City-staff-reports-program-consolidation-in-priority-based-budgeting-matrix-due-in-30-days","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150121-975b3d271fbf456dabe977113a7b5b08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105713&Signature=DApCxuLWIvBdhQ5gfnFEs4~4R4ZPL4aO2pfUyGQO1ZAJzqgDVmoMOVLYrpxV8FaFVpYdI3ulWw08xgakZPWBH4osnv8mXMkBebhbQcmGS~wBTeSw2Yd~cgzC-BHiMWlx2ntZuw8ZUmDT88qisHmzd7cyW67YoEmgQfjXI614Op~bfWlP55rkWVqpPp4QEmwMBV921PkCa7NsaWaW-QncOWdPvHg-UaFdWJQQ9e5w1BwrlThdPfSd5q4oyTVzqy5hUgzF8biGHr-14TJButGm6Ng52lAoE-OZt5uRxa2pO-xDC5AomwmHX3zYyxWVbUCgynJYrRUUlc2X9ppl6XFK5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-30T13:14:39Z","article","City staff gave the Casper City Council an update on the priority-based budgeting (PBB) review and said the task force consolidated the city’s community-facing programs and adjusted priority definitions based on public feedback.

Jill (staff) reported the team reduced the inventory of community-facing programs from roughly 322 to about 105 through consolidation and is finishing review of governance/overhead programs to determine whether costs should be treated as overhead rather than assigned directly to community programs. Jill said the task force also shifted several priority definitions — for example elevating environmental sustainability items such as parks and urban canopy — after reviewing citizen feedback.

Why it matters: staff said the next deliverable will be a scored matrix linking programs to council priorities; that matrix will identify programs that are high-impact and low-cost and, importantly, programs in the matrix’s fourth quartile (low impact, high cost, where other actors could provide service) that could be candidates for reallocation.

Key points:
- Consolidation: community-facing programs reduced from ~322 to ~105.
- Definitions: some program definitions were elevated from medium to high priority based on public input; staff intentionally did not move everything to high priority despite broad high-priority responses from the public.
- Next steps: staff will complete governance-program mapping, connect programs to the scoring framework and present a full matrix for council review in about 30 days; staff also discussed longer-term goals of linking budget actuals to programs.

Council action: council members accepted the update and the staff recommendation to continue with the next two pilot programs and the matrix work; staff noted a longer-term goal to connect program-level actuals and budgets through accounting or integrated tools.

Staff said further parsing may be needed because public input tended to rate many items as high priority; the scoring matrix will help identify which high-priority items are the highest and which can be reconsidered as budget choices are made.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Casper | July 29th, 2025 | City Council Special Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Staff told council the priority-based budgeting task force consolidated municipal programs from about 322 to roughly 105 community-facing programs and will produce a scored program matrix within about 30 days to guide budget choices and potential reallocations.","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},6150126,"Council signals support for $1 million city loan to Casper Housing Authority to keep 45-unit building affordable",356,2019000,2375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a&start=2019&end=2375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a/thumbnail_2019000.jpg","/articles/6150126/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Council-signals-support-for-1-million-city-loan-to-Casper-Housing-Authority-to-keep-45-unit-building-affordable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150126-91d4974dfa58ff86fe75d8dc5a85350a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105713&Signature=WfBdvgV514bHULxDaMAaAQ7CFfBzujGbRzPXWEjMowTH14qAvCDlNzP7aL6ZVfrYbieS8XGqwhnuJ4p2KJgq2NQce-uO4yUsUh-Kj0atvvq6CXEImbg97wnRAGTMfetHOOQ~4k4olxjRVcC40kx80W4Uw0ZmaCq-XeR-OQKUNrlIXqKg4IR9~65Ebpu8I2z~8NRjPVxu9DeYgpDr8gzBx5-sUfEQPsIgrRo0kpJlhghaxhxCURGmtW3svkpokISylRNRkzoOZTNplMmFC--NC4hAUyySmBYlGqwiW9pNBIcg5DbiedubfviIk1w41JCZ9Y0px00rZ0FOYY~jgW2itg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the Casper Housing Authority asked the Casper City Council for direction on a $1 million loan to support the housing authority’s purchase of the Wyoming National Bank building, a 45-unit downtown affordable property whose low-income housing tax credits have matured.

Liz (city staff) described the timeline: the housing authority learned the property was being offered for sale while staff were at a national housing conference and quickly coordinated a local bid to preserve ownership and local management. Liz said the objective is preservation and maintenance of existing affordable housing stock in downtown Casper.

Kim (Casper Housing Authority) described the property’s affordability profile and management approach. She said rents at the property are generally about half the market rate for comparable units and that the authority plans to pursue vouchers (including veteran vouchers) to increase subsidy coverage and maintain affordability. Kim said local ownership and local property management help preserve condition and service levels and avoid the typical deterioration that can occur when properties are owned and managed by distant, out-of-state firms.

Staff proposal: city staff presented a loan term for council consideration — $1,000,000 at 4.5% interest over 25 years — and noted the city would take a first-position mortgage on the property as collateral. Staff said the proposed rate aimed to be competitive with conventional financing but low enough to allow rent preservation.

Why it matters: the housing authority and staff framed the loan as a preservation tool that keeps a downtown affordable complex under local management; staff said a nonlocal purchaser could convert uses or let the property decline because there is no longer a regulatory requirement to keep the property affordable after LIHTC maturity.

Council response and next steps: councilors generally expressed support for helping preserve the property. Staff said more formal loan documentation, appraisal information and mortgage details would be drafted; staff recommended council direction to prepare the loan as the housing authority’s board seeks near-term loan decisions to complete an acquisition.

Unresolved items: staff and the housing authority still need to finalize appraisal, exact purchase pricing and formal loan documents; if council pursues the loan it will be structured with the city taking a first mortgage position and work through normal underwriting steps.","Councilors discussed a proposal for the city to lend the Casper Housing Authority $1 million at about 4.5% over 25 years so the authority can buy and preserve a 45-unit downtown property whose low-income housing tax credits have matured; staff and housing-authority leaders urged quick action to avoid an out-of-state sale.",{"_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},6150131,"Council backs moving ahead with CBC police remodel; staff recommends $15M COPs and line of credit for contingency",932,1269000,2201000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a&start=1269&end=2201","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6150131/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/Council-backs-moving-ahead-with-CBC-police-remodel-staff-recommends-15M-COPs-and-line-of-credit-for-contingency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150131-037ad8cf753c9ae0dbc8a7652e107591/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105713&Signature=VgSsTgqzDES5LwwBsxrpWY6Mu2CHcNkHQ8AljPhtxqmBBaaa-kdEzLXhalXFFVL1FlygdULhE~ozJI6WG0ZtN2LovqkT4TQ3k2~GN2276QaLW9Kn4Wv3N3SpZxNdSYrKGUw2U9wdnlEMN23wkad0nh7dNbW~y72RNs9GQ24bV7t~rrC9A-ml0r8ioVgkmsDhUD1GeZAmBevtoBxyKEe6zadzlnE8JQfhJORgLWuX2Wbi11k2FLTvrsxZvDBHqTed1XlDhmC0yJJkGrcCSoasbsDVrI0vlFR6J3Rft3PHjjwUc0714FbWEdi2uX1e9yEe69lsX9FZ2-Y5aiSuiYaMdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Casper City Council they completed phase 1 demolition and asbestos abatement at the Casper Business Center and recommended proceeding with phase 2 — the building’s core mechanical, electrical and fire-suppression infrastructure — while continuing design for a later phase to finish police department spaces.

Tom (staff) said phase 1 came in under budget at about $4.925 million and that subcontractor bids for phase 2 were under review. He described phase 2 as the vertical infrastructure — boilers, chillers, fire risers, primary electrical risers and new windows — and said phase 3 would be primarily the horizontal work (interior walls, finishes, fixtures) needed to finish police department floors.

Why it matters: staff and council framed the project as a way to consolidate police dispatch and some police functions into downtown facilities, reduce offsite leases, and reuse an existing building rather than building new. Staff presented a funding plan that mixes cash on hand, a short-term line of credit for contingency, and certificates of participation (COPs) to finance an estimated shortfall.

Key fiscal and schedule points presented by staff:
- Phase 1 (demolition/asbestos): reported cost about $4.925 million, finished under budget.
- Phase 2 (core infrastructure): staff gave a range of estimates during discussion; a detailed subcontractor review was pending. In council materials staff listed a construction estimate in the mid-teens millions (report text referenced $15,500,000 with contingency and other figures); staff said they expected final bids to be lower than older estimates.
- Phase 3 (interior finishes for police): staff estimated a remaining scope earlier in briefing that contributed to an upper-end project target of about $40 million for phases 1–3; staff said they aim to reduce that total through value engineering.
- Certificates of participation: staff recommended using COPs of about $15,000,000 to cover a funding gap and estimated roughly $1.4 million per year over 20 years at an interest rate staff cited near 4.2 percent. Staff said they were also earning higher returns in their investment pool and therefore preferred COPs to drawing down long-term invested funds.

Council direction and next steps: councilors signaled support for awarding and contracting phase 2 once guaranteed maximum price (GMP) documents and final subcontractor reconciliations are complete. Staff asked for formal authorization to open a line of credit to cover contingency and to proceed with preparations for COPs (credit-rating, bond counsel, offering documents); staff said the COP sale would still require subsequent formal council steps.

Unresolved items and caveats: staff emphasized several items remain to be finalized — firm subcontractor numbers for phase 2, final scope for police spaces, and precise financing terms. Staff recommended proceeding with phase 2 now to avoid further inflation on construction costs; council members asked staff to return with clear financing plans for the long-term debt service and to provide a formal resolution if council wants the city manager and finance director to open a line of credit.

The discussion took place during a detailed agenda item on remodel planning for the Casper Business Center and police facilities.","City staff reported phase 1 asbestos abatement complete and recommended awarding phase 2 construction for core mechanical/electrical systems; staff proposed funding a shortfall with $15 million of certificates of participation and a line of credit for contingency, and council signaled support to proceed and to pursue the financing steps.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6150136,"City panel wins council OK to release opioid-settlement RFP, up to $2.6 million available",595,661000,1256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a&start=661&end=1256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5509451-12b53ed03277f608006fee7fa505bb5a/thumbnail_661000.jpg","/articles/6150136/Casper/Natrona/Wyoming/City-panel-wins-council-OK-to-release-opioid-settlement-RFP-up-to-26-million-available","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6150136-9d6194fa73fc9f8ca0c6d11c585f80bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771105713&Signature=BjgRAt~tSh9JXA0Z5XTr8vMW~NqFLcxSEazswgyYr1Dp46uJ3ycKgeRQLYAXNlfrVhKN-FaqyF9kRVSs03w7jbO4M1WmkMjx4vPLSXNR3OKmIQibh-7skYqB~Ckn8CK3OpRCXCBeo~TQUpxpq~dc1cvHwaEeJ3QUdh~4J3NBwPcEc2hhf~DUjcWYoNm106DuzF85nWzEOqJH-9-poos8kITBU7zk-Fx23m4XVbLj9nvd05bZQOL4rwvsFR21NoX8FbIl4UgzWIj-hTfgTQafzATpGVgEVj-tYUdlpphg~PaBR48law9NxQjnJp-j2lHGLUXoR1UHI80NVuuRKMoL-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors on [the Casper City Council] informally authorized release of a request for proposals to spend opioid-settlement funds on community substance-use services, city staff said. The opioid committee told the council it expects the city and county together could make about $2,600,000 available for programs and would like the RFP released to seek proposals from providers.

The RFP will be drafted under guidance the committee discussed with the city attorney and with industry representatives on the committee, a staff member said. “We believe between the county funds and the city funds that there could be as much as $2,600,000 available for this effort,” the staff member told councilors.

Why it matters: committee members emphasized stretching settlement funds over time and allowing multi-year program proposals so a single-year award does not exhaust available money. Councilors raised concerns about spending a large lump sum immediately and asked that the RFP language make multi-year proposals explicitly allowable.

Key details provided by staff and committee members:
- The committee expects to time vendor interviews in September and will set cascading deadlines that lead up to that schedule. Staff said proposal due dates are still to be determined pending council and county approval.
- Committee members and councilors agreed the settlement language appears broad enough to cover opioid-related treatment and, likely, broader substance-use disorder services; staff said they would confirm the exact grant requirements when finalizing the RFP.
- Committee members said the city attorney and an industry representative helped craft RFP language to match the settlement’s guardrails.

Council action and next steps: councilors offered a verbal thumbs-up for staff to release the RFP after the committee updates the draft to allow multi-year proposals and to set deadlines that align with the committee’s timeline. Staff will finalize deadlines and release the solicitation; if providers are selected, staff said a contract would be brought back for committee and council consideration.

What remains unclear: staff said the exact award amounts and schedule depend on proposals received and on how much additional settlement money, if any, continues to arrive. The RFP’s final allowable scope and any programmatic priorities will be confirmed by staff based on legal guidance and committee input.

The council’s discussion on the opioid RFP took place during the meeting’s agenda item on the opioid committee’s request; committee and council remarks were recorded during that item.","The Casper City Council gave informal approval for an RFP to allocate opioid-settlement funds, with staff to release the solicitation and accept multi-year proposals; the committee said up to $2.6 million could be available and timelines aim for vendor interviews in September.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff reports program consolidation in priority-based budgeting; matrix due in 30 days

Council signals support for $1 million city loan to Casper Housing Authority to keep 45-unit building affordable

Council backs moving ahead with CBC police remodel; staff recommends $15M COPs and line of credit for contingency

City panel wins council OK to release opioid-settlement RFP, up to $2.6 million available