City of Casper Sets FY14 Council Budget Meetings for Later This Month

Casper City Council will discuss the city of Casper’s budget for fiscal year 2014 and a new five-year capital improvement plan at work sessions scheduled for later this month.

Casper mayor Kenyne Schlager says, at the upcoming series of meetings, city councilors will be focusing on improving public safety, city utilities, transportation and the city’s infrastructure.

“This sets out our plan on how we’re going to maintain the services we provide – such as streets and water – and the different amenities that we have,” Schlager said. “This is really, kind of, the bible of the city on how we’re going to spend things.”

Casper's proposed budget for FY 2014 is just over $144 million – that’s a roughly $3.2 million decrease compared to the city's budget for FY 2013. Schlager says the city is illustrating fiscal conservatism.

“We try to plan for the worst, and, maybe, the best will come out,” Schlager said. “We’re going to be very conservative with our approach and our spending – and then you always gets that pleasant surprise at the end when you’ve, you know, been conservative.”

The first two meetings are scheduled for May 22 and 23. Additional budget meetings are scheduled for May 29 and 30.

All four scheduled council work sessions will begin at 3:00 p.m. at Casper City Hall.