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

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.