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Council agrees to let mayor seek state feasibility review for Fort Casper
Summary
Council authorized the mayor to sign a letter asking state parks to study the feasibility of taking Fort Casper as a state park; the city manager cautioned the review would be nonbinding and any transfer would require further approvals, including possible legislative action and budget authorization.
The mayor asked the council at the pre-meeting for permission to send a letter to the state parks department asking for a feasibility study on designating Fort Casper as a state park. The city manager framed the request as a first step and cautioned that the study would be advisory. "I think it's important to note that, this is not one of those things that, if they view it as being good to go ... the state nor the city have an obligation to do what it is that's recommended," the city manager said.
Councilors expressed support for initiating the conversation but noted the larger political and funding steps that would follow any favorable assessment. One councilor observed that even if the department recommended state stewardship, the legislature would need to authorize funding and staffing. The city manager agreed: "If the employees of the department ... think it's the best idea ... that does not mean that the legislature will buy onto it, and actually authorize this to happen."
The council gave the mayor permission to sign the letter to the state parks department; no further commitment or city obligation was made. The city manager described the request as a prudent first step to understand options and potential cost savings if the state assumed operations.
Ending: The council authorized the mayor to request a feasibility assessment; any state-level adoption would be subject to the department’s findings and subsequent legislative or budgetary approvals.
