Casper City Council Regular Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

The Casper City Council convened its regular meeting on December 16, 2025, to handle routine administrative approvals, address significant utility rate increase proposals, and consider liquor license transfers. A major portion of the evening was dedicated to Public Comments regarding deferred maintenance issues, transportation improvements, and housing safety. Councilors and the Mayor responded to constituent concerns, providing context on budget allocations, infrastructure challenges, and the necessity of increasing utility rates to achieve self-sustainability for enterprise funds. The Interim City Manager, Zulema Lopez, was recognized for her service prior to the transition to the new City Manager.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes for regular and executive sessions held on November 18, December 2, and December 9, 2025.
• Approved the minutes for the December 16, 2025 interim City Manager report via Zulema Lopez.
• Adopted resolutions for: underground right-of-way easement with Rocky Mountain Power; agreements with Knife River (Bryan Evansville Road), Stantec (North Platte River Restoration), Water Technology Group (sewer lift station pumps), Civil Engineering Professionals (water main replacements), Converge One (911 system upgrades), and Advanced Casper (strategic planning); rescinding Resolution 23-287 regarding industrial development revenue bonds.
• Approved the reappointment of Susan Burke to the Civil Service Commission and reappointment of Councillor Amber Pollock to the Central Wyoming Regional Water System Joint Powers Board.
• Authorized the purchase of multiple vehicles and equipment for the Police Department, Public Services (Water Distribution and Solid Waste divisions), including new police vehicles, trucks, trailers, and ATVs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ross Shriffman (Rental Agent/Insurance Agent): Expressed concern regarding late payments by Warbirds entities renting the ice arena, noting violations of the agreement's payment terms (specifically bills due in March and May paid in August); stated that taxpayers subsidize these operational losses. Opposed the proposed utility rate increases (8% for water, 34% for sewer in 2026) as a response to deferred maintenance, arguing that infrastructure neglect has led to rotting pipes and that these costs should be covered by discretionary funds rather than increasing bills for residents.
• Unidentified Veteran Advocate (Mr. Shriffman's companion): Expressed concern for a veteran who must walk 1.5 miles in hazardous street conditions to reach Rocky Mountain Oncology due to limited bus routes; requested an extension of the bus route on 2nd Street to the clinic. Requested that veterans with a DD Form 214 be eligible for free bus passes at the Catsky office.
• Tom Morton: Reported on a severe mold infestation and structural decay (crumbling floors) at a house on Thorndike purchased by the Johnson family; stated that the building poses a public threat and potential safety hazard for future auction buyers who cannot inspect the property; requested information on condemning unsafe structures.
• Dave Lewis: Stated that road infrastructure is in terrible condition compared to other jurisdictions, citing a $2,500 personal repair bill from potholes; argued that the city should utilize modern machinery for instant asphalt patching rather than 1950s-era repair methods.
• Representative Tony Locke: Expressed strong opposition to proposed utility rate increases (citing potential 50% increases over two years); argued that the 43 million dollar budget increase between 2021 and 2025 represents mismanagement of discretionary funds; stated that the city should look to redirect discretionary funds to infrastructure rather than burdening citizens with high rates.
• Representative Jamie Lean (House District 38): Stated opposition to utility rate increases; argued that county residents pay for services without voting representation and do not receive adequate services (e.g., no free bail fill pass); questioned the rationale for water rate increases despite sufficient reserves in the water fund; expressed concern for fixed-income, elderly, and disabled residents; stated that the proposed sewer rate increases (113% over 10 years) are substantial and questioned the veracity of the city's financial planning regarding the fifth penny bond.

Discussion Items

• Utility Rate Increases (Water and Sewer):
  • Councillor Gamroth and Mayor Pacheco defended the proposed increases necessary to make enterprise funds self-sustaining by eliminating a subsidy from the one-cent tax revenue (approx. $2.6M annually). They explained that sewer infrastructure is oversized relative to population growth (built for 300,000, currently serving 60,000), causing gas accumulation that corrodes pipes, and that the city has been undercharging rates based on a 300-year replacement schedule which is now being corrected to a realistic 100-year schedule.
  • Councillor Gamroth acknowledged the financial pressure on residents but stated that delaying these adjustments would be irresponsible and compound the issue for future councils.
  • Councillor Gamroth and Mayor Pacheco refuted claims of mismanagement, noting the general fund has grown 16% since 2019 while inflation has been 30%, resulting in reduced purchasing power.
• Infrastructure and Street Maintenance:
  • Mayor Pacheco agreed that street conditions are poor (2019 average condition score of 59/100) and advocated for increased street funding allocations from future one-cent revenue distributions.
  • Councillor Haskins encouraged residents to use the city's reporting app for potholes and noted the city's responsiveness to such reports.
• Waste and Transportation:
  • Councillor Gamroth and Councillor Haskins committed to reviewing the bus route extension request and suggested the "Lift and Assi" (likely Lift Assistance) ride service as a short-term alternative for the veteran to reach specific appointments.
  • Councillor Haskins addressed the issue of free bail fill passes, explaining they are integrated into utility bills; thus, county residents who do not pay city utility bills do not pay for the subsidy.
• Pedestrian Bridges:
  • Mayor Pacheco clarified that the North Platte Pedestrian Bridge project is funded entirely by Wyoming Outdoor Rec Grants (approx. $3.7M) and utility enterprise funds, not general fund revenues or property taxes. He explained the utility infrastructure was moved to the pedestrian bridge to avoid the high cost ($4M bid) of installing utilities on the existing traffic bridge.
• Building Condemnation:
  • Councillor Haskins and Mayor Pacheco discussed the Thorndike street property, confirming the city has a defined process under the Uniform Code to abate dangerous buildings and that the Building Official has the authority to condemn structures. They pledged to have staff investigate the specific address.
• Liquor License Transfers:
  • Councillor Gamroth addressed the Warbirds ice arena rental, noting the current owner has improved payment compliance and staff has balanced the interests of various players.
  • Public hearings were held for liquor license transfers (Galloway's Irish Pub, 2nd Street Liquor, Wyoming Discount Liquor) and the transfer of Wyoming's Ribeye Chop House to 30H7 Hospitality LLC.
• Other Reports:
  • Councillor Jensen reported on the Wyoming Water Development Board meeting, noting the 2025 audit showed no deficiencies and a $20M loan was approved for primary disinfection improvements.
  • Councillor Haskins reported on the DDA meeting (secured funding through Millave election), a skepticism regarding the AI data center bubble, and animal shelter status updates. He noted sales tax collections are slightly behind projections but six-cent sales tax collections are on pace.
  • Vice Mayor recognized Interim City Manager Zulema Lopez for her dedicated service and welcomed incoming City Manager Janine Lopez.

Key Outcomes

• Voted Yes (Unanimous): Approval of Consent Agenda items including minutes, resolutions, and capital purchases.
• Voted Yes (Unanimous): Establishment of public hearing dates for liquor license transfers and renewals (Jan 6 and Feb 17, 2026).
• Voted Yes (Unanimous): Approval on first reading of a text amendment to the Municipal Code to align Planning and Zoning Commission voting requirements with state law (majority of all commissioners, not just those present).
• Voted Yes (Unanimous): Approval of the application to transfer Retail Liquor License #18 for Wyoming's Ribeye Chop House.
• Adjournment: The council moved to Executive Session with a two-thirds majority vote to discuss attorney-client privilege and potential litigation.
• Next Meetings: Scheduled for a Work Session on Dec 30, 2025, and a Regular Council Meeting on Jan 6, 2026.
• Directives: Council directed staff to follow up on the bus route extension, investigate the dangerous building on Thorndike, and prepare for the annual one-cent revenue allocation discussions in spring.