Council Considers Proposed Fire, Police Budgets For FY14

Casper City Council continued its discussion about the city of Casper’s proposed $144 million budget for fiscal year 2014 at its second of four budget work sessions Thursday night.

Councilors took a look at human resources, community development, police and fire budget proposals at the meeting. Officials with both the Casper Police Department and Casper Fire-EMS requested moderate budget increases to bolster overall city service.

Casper mayor Kenyne Schlager says it’s likely council will approve the proposed increases.

“When we survey our citizens, they tell us that public safety is on the top of their priority list,” Schlager said. “I believe council has also taken on that theme – it’s an important thing for council and it’s important for our citizens.”

Both CPD and Casper Fire-EMS are asking for roughly two percent budget increases for next fiscal year. Casper Fire EMS is asking for an increase from $8.2 million in FY 2013 to roughly $8.4 million in FY 2014, while CPD is asking for an increase from roughly $11.9 million in FY 2013 to just over $12 million in FY 2014.

Council began its budget review process on Wednesday. It will continue its work on the city's FY 2014 budget at its third work session on Tuesday.