Casper council adopts FY2026 budget amendment; approves funding plan for wastewater headworks and screw‑pump replacements

The Casper City Council adopted the first amendment to the city’s FY2026 budget on Oct. 7, 2025, giving staff authority to continue prior-year projects and to begin new capital work including replacement of aging Archimedes screw pumps at the regional wastewater treatment plant.

Why it matters: The headworks and screw-pump project is critical to the plant’s operation; staff said one of three pumps is already experiencing significant failure and the plant cannot meet baseline flows with the remaining equipment. The council approved the budget amendment after a public hearing that included questions about loan terms and resource allocation.

What staff reported

Interim City Manager Lopez told council the amendment is dominated by rollovers — projects that began in prior fiscal years and were not completed — with rollovers totaling about $125 million. Lopez also said the city identified about $953,000 in prior‑year funds that are being repurposed to meet underfunded projects, and that the amendment seeks just under $21 million in new spending authority; roughly $17 million of that is expected to be covered by new revenue sources, leaving a net budget impact of about $4.1 million (reported as approximately a 2.3% increase over the adopted FY2026 budget).

Thomas, the city’s chief operating officer, described the headworks project and the screw pumps: “These are the coolest pumps ever. They’re called Archimedes screw pumps.” He said there are three pumps at the site; one is already exhibiting significant failure and cannot keep up with baseline daily flows — reported in the meeting as roughly 7.5 million gallons per day. Thomas said the project includes replacement of pumps, electrical and HVAC work and corrosion‑resistant materials to address hydrogen sulfide corrosion in the 40‑year‑old headworks facility.

Financing and loan terms

Thomas said funding for the headworks work will include a State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) loan: “These are second generation EPA funds, and it’s a 20 year term, and I believe this loan is at 0.25% interest.” He told council that regional sewer beneficiaries pay for the project through the 201 oversight structure and reported the city contributes roughly 85% of the cost with remaining costs allocated to Mills, Evansville, Barnard and unincorporated areas according to metered sewer flows.

Public questions and council discussion

A public commenter asked detailed questions about the number of pumps to be replaced, loan terms and whether unobligated funds could be used instead of borrowing. Jill Johnson, the finance director, explained the city’s classification of unobligated funds: reserves for emergencies, a $30 million perpetual‑care corpus that generates investment income for recreation subsidies, and a sinking fund set aside for debt service on a long‑term pension obligation. She explained those buckets are designated for specific purposes and are not unrestricted capital funds.

Outcome and next steps

Councilor Sweeney moved to adopt the resolution; Councilor Pollock seconded. The resolution passed with all councilors voting aye. Staff said the city has an engineer engaged, will solicit construction management at‑risk proposals, and will begin procurement and project‑execution steps consistent with SRF requirements. The finance office will report on financing and implementation as the project advances.

Ending: The adopted budget amendment gives staff immediate authority to proceed with procurement and construction tasks for the headworks and associated infrastructure; council materials and project documents will be posted as contract awards and timelines are finalized.