Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax
Below are the four (4) City of Casper
Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax Propositions passed Nov. 5, 2024. Tax goes into effect April 1st, 2025. This temporary 1% sales tax will stay in place until the $18.3M has been raised, or for two (2) years, whichever comes first.
Proposition 1
$7,300,000 and interest earned thereon to the City of Casper to reconstruct the aging, failing, and undersized Metro Animal Shelter to better provide for animal health and safety.
Why this project is being proposed
The current animal shelter was built 40 years ago with One Cent funds. It is now too small for the number of animals it needs to care for, making it hard to take care of the animals, and it constantly needs repairs. The shelter was built with special doors to safely move dogs between kennels when cleaning. But right now, the shelter built for no more than 30 dogs often has 50 or more dogs, making it hard to use this system properly. This overcrowding also causes problems with the heating, air conditioning, and sewer system. The air doesn’t circulate well enough to keep the animals and staff healthy, and the sewer pipes often get clogged because they’re too small. The area where animals are brought into the shelter is too small to safely unload them. The garage door can’t be closed while bringing animals in, which could lead to an animal escaping. A new shelter would fix all these problems by providing more space, safer ways of moving and caring for the animals, and a safer area for bringing in new animals.
Each year, the shelter responds to 2-3 large hoarding cases, which can involve the intake of 12 to 60 animals at a time. Managed by the Casper Police Department, the Metro Animal Shelter handles up to 6,000 calls for service annually and takes in about 2,300 animals each year. In 2023 alone, the shelter took in 1,033 dogs and 758 cats, many of which were strays or surrendered by their owners. Among these were 111 puppies and 265 kittens, all of whom required safe housing and care. Metro Animal Shelter's ability to house these animals is crucial to maintaining public health and safety, controlling the stray animal population, and ensuring that animals in need have a place to go. This proposed project is essential to continue providing these vital services to the community and to address the increasing demands placed on the shelter's resources.
How this project serves all citizens of Natrona County
The Metro Animal Shelter is a critical resource for all residents of Natrona County, including those in the city of Mills, the town of Bar Nunn, and the city of Casper. The shelter plays a vital role in the community by providing a safe haven for animals through various services, including pet adoptions, accepting animals that owners can no longer care for, holding animals involved in criminal cases, and managing dangerous animals. Additionally, the shelter is essential for caring for stray or lost pets, ensuring they have a secure place until they can be reunited with their owners or find new homes.
Proposition 5
$4,400,000 and interest earned thereon to the City of Casper to partially fund costs associated with the replacement of the City of Casper’s outdated Fire Station #1.
Why This Project Is Being Proposed
Fire Station 1 was built in 1976. At 48 years old, the building no longer meets the needs of the community or the Fire-EMS Department. The station is too small and outdated for today’s requirements, including storing fire trucks and other emergency equipment, meeting response times, decontaminating equipment, and providing adequate facilities for all genders of firefighters. This proposed project is for the land purchase, design, and engineering, which are the first steps for building a new Fire Station 1.
How this project serves all citizens of Natrona County
A new Fire Station 1 will provide the necessary space and facilities to meet the current and future fire, rescue, and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) needs of Natrona County. Station 1 is centrally located and serves as the hub for all emergency responses in the City of Casper and the wider county.
Station 1 houses unique equipment and skilled personnel not available at other fire stations in the county. This includes a 100-foot platform ladder truck for fighting large fires and performing rescues from tall buildings, as well as Rescue 1, the only medium rescue vehicle in the county capable of performing complex rescues like vehicle extrications, high-angle rope rescues, and water rescues.
The station also houses an engine for fire and EMS responses to downtown Casper and surrounding areas, as well as the only on-duty Battalion Chief who can coordinate resources during significant incidents in the county, 24/7. This makes Fire Station 1 a critical part of the public safety infrastructure for all residents of Natrona County.
Proposition 6
$5,000,000 and interest earned thereon to the City of Casper to fully replace the outdated equipment for the 911 Dispatch Center which is becoming obsolete.
Why This Project Is Being Proposed
The 911 Dispatch Center, also known as the Public Safety Communications Center (PSCC), is crucial for the safety of Natrona County residents. Operating 24/7, the 911 Dispatch Center connects the public with emergency services, handling over 160,000 calls a year, including 30,000 emergency 911 calls. The center dispatches responders from multiple law enforcement agencies, eight fire departments, emergency management services, Metro Animal Control, and LifeFlight. At over ten years old, the equipment which is highly technical is outdated and unsupported by manufacturers, making maintenance and upgrades difficult if not impossible.
How This Project Serves All Citizens of Natrona County
The 911 Dispatch Center is the central hub for all emergency response operations in Natrona County. It plays a vital role in dispatching law enforcement, fire, and medical services across the county, ensuring timely assistance during emergencies. As the county continues to grow, the upgraded 911 Dispatch Center will be better equipped to handle increasing demands, providing essential support to all residents and enhancing overall public safety.
Proposition 8
$1,500,000 and interest earned thereon to the City of Casper to design, reconstruct, and preserve the historic Washington Park Bandshell.
Why This Project Is Being Proposed
The Washington Park Bandshell, built in 1939, is a vital venue in the heart of Casper, hosting events like the Casper Municipal Band’s free summer concerts and the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra’s Pops in the Park, which draws up to 2,000 guests. The bandshell needs significant repairs and upgrades. Issues include drainage problems leading to water damage and mold in the basement used for storage, lack of adequate storage, outdated exterior and interior finishes, and old lighting and sound systems. The roof is also nearing the end of its life and requires repairs. ADA improvements are needed to ensure accessibility for performers and spectators. Finally, new stage extensions will assure the stage size can accommodate a variety of uses.
How This Project Serves All Citizens of Natrona County
Hosting a wide range of events that cater to all ages, including concerts, weddings, funerals, political activities, class reunions, and festivals, the Bandshell serves many audiences throughout Natrona County. Renovating the bandshell will ensure that it continues to serve as a space for diverse gatherings and cultural events in the community.