Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco released a letter and video today in response to constituent questions regarding Senate File 69, the 50% residential property tax cut being discussed by the Wyoming Legislature.

In his remarks, Mayor Pacheco provides context and clarity on how the City of Casper manages its budget, as well as the impacts the 50% residential property tax cut, as currently proposed by the legislature, could have on the services the city renders. “How do we compassionately address the financial strains put on residents over the years by soaring property taxes without putting our city into an unnecessary budget crisis?”

The Mayor stated it’s the hope of the City that any passage of SF69 includes an amendment to provide backfill funding for all government agencies impacted by cuts. “This is a practical compromise solution that addresses the concerns of residents as well as the City.”

Mayor Pacheco went on to give an overview of the City of Casper’s budget and how funds are allocated. The overall budget for Fiscal Year 2025 is approximately $201.4 million, which is comprised of utility revenue, fines and forfeitures, goods and services provided, licenses and permits, intergovernmental payments, and local taxes. Pacheco explained that the proposed property tax cut would impact the city’s $55 million General Fund, which supports essential operational services. Those services include the community health department, code enforcement, planning and development, our municipal court system, police, fire, and emergency services, public parks, fields, and trails, after school youth programming and adult rec leagues, city operational staff, and streets operations. If the proposed residential property tax were to pass as-is, the General Fund would immediately see a $2.1 million loss, followed by an unknown amount in indirect cuts due to partnerships the City holds with other governmental partners.

Pacheco went on to explain that the remaining $146 million of the city budget are tied to specific projects and the utilities. “To (re)state in the clearest words possible, state statute and city policy bar the City of Casper from using water, sewer, or one-time capital funding to balance the General Fund,” said Mayor Pacheco.

Video of Pacheco reading the letter is posted to the City’s Facebook page and his letter in full is below:

My fellow Casperites,

I’d like to take a moment to respond to the questions and comments my City Council colleagues and I have received since my last address. We’ve heard from so many constituents who are concerned and looking for clarity and leadership as the City of Casper navigates the potential impacts of SF69, should the version of the 50% residential property tax bill passed by the Wyoming House of Representatives become law.

I want to start by recognizing something we’re all feeling—times are tough. Every trip to the grocery store, every utility bill, and every mortgage or rent payment reminds us just how much the cost of living has climbed. As a taxpayer, a homeowner, and someone raising a family right here in Casper, I feel it too. I know what it’s like to sit at the kitchen table, looking at the budget, trying to make things stretch just a little further.

That’s why I understand why the idea of cutting residential property taxes by 50% sounds like much-needed relief. But as we think about this, we have to ask: What does this mean for our community? 

Because Casper isn’t just where we live—it’s where we work, where our kids go to school, where we come together in times of need, and where we build a future for the next generation. Our strength has always been in our people—neighbors helping neighbors, businesses supporting families, and a shared commitment to making Casper the best it can be.

These conversations aren’t just about dollars and cents; they’re about the kind of community we want to be. And I believe that real solutions aren’t found in quick fixes or drastic cuts, but in working together, making smart choices, and ensuring that Casper and municipalities across the County and the State continue to thrive for all of us.

So in the waning days of the legislative session, where do we go from here? How do we compassionately address the financial strains put on residents over the years by soaring property taxes without putting our city into an unnecessary budget crisis?

It’s our hope that any passage of SF69 includes an amendment to provide backfill funding for all government agencies impacted by these cuts. This is a practical compromise solution that addresses the concerns of residents as well as the City.

Now, to address some of the questions my Council colleagues and I have received and respond to posts circulating that lack crucial context or contain inaccuracies. 

The City of Casper adopted a fiscal year 2025 budget of $201,459,836. This is the City’s overall budget, which is comprised of utility revenue, fines and forfeitures, goods and services provided, licenses and permits, intergovernmental payments, and local taxes. Let me provide additional context for how this budget breaks down. 

Of the $201 million budget, approximately $55 million is dedicated to the General Fund, where property tax cuts will have their impact. The General Fund is a balanced fund meaning we cannot spend in excess of what is brought in. 

What all does the General Fund support? We stretch every dollar to be as efficiently and effectively used as possible to fund operational costs such as the community health department, code enforcement, planning and development, our municipal court system, police, fire, and emergency services, public parks, fields, and trails, after school youth programming and adult rec leagues, city operational staff, and streets operations.

As I stated last week, with the 50% residential property tax cut, the city will automatically see a $2.1 million direct cut to its General Fund budget. And the indirect cuts remain unknown. 

For example, the City of Casper receives funding from Natrona County Weed and Pest District. Their funding is reliant on property taxes and will be cut. When looking at other partnerships the City has with entities reliant on property tax income, the potential for additional cuts to the City budget is a possibility. We simply do not know. 

So what about the other $146 million of the City’s $201 million budget? Why can’t we just shuffle that money around to cover the hit to the General Fund? In short, because those dollars are tied to specific projects and the utilities, per state statute and City policy.

For example, in a video posted by the Representative from House District 38, she incorrectly identifies your One Cent tax as a candidate for replacement funding. To be crystal clear, One Cent dollars, as voted on every four years by you, go to capital improvement projects and cannot be used for supporting, salaries or operations. Another example? The Casper Area Transit system is funded through state and federal grants and those funds legally cannot be utilized elsewhere. 

By just glancing at the budgetary charts in the 2025 City of Casper budget, it would appear that the City is collecting a surplus of $7.6 million and that that money could be used to cover the residential property tax revenue losses. But there is once again missing context here – those funds are not “surplus” but rather responsibly budgeted funds for upcoming projects. 

For example, $1.1 million of that “surplus” has already been allocated for the Balefill Fund. Those dollars are being set aside for the upcoming need to build a new landfill cell and close the old landfill. The other $6.5 million is One Cent funding, which, again, based on City policy, is set aside for capital projects. City policy is to only spend cash-on-hand, therefore those One Cent capital funds are sitting in an investment fund, gaining interest, until we have the cash necessary to move on specific projects. 

To restate in the clearest words possible, state statute and city policy bar the City of Casper from using water, sewer, or one-time capital funding to balance the General Fund. 

I’ll end my comments today with this. In 2023, Casper was ranked the number one city in the United States for financial stability by WalletHub. We are proud stewards of the financial wellbeing of our community. Through sound, fiscally responsible planning and management, we are dedicated to the long-term prosperity and well-being of Casper. We know SF69, excluding any backfill dollars, will create an unnecessary and manufactured budgeting crisis. 

As your mayor, I tell you sincerely that the City Council and I will do everything within our power to provide the quality, responsive services you expect, drive our economy forward, and continue fighting for you. It's our job as city leaders to give you an honest warning about the harmful impacts of this legislation, as currently proposed, could have on our community. We don’t do it as scare tactics, we do it because we respect our constituents, love our city, and want to ensure our shared prosperity today, tomorrow, and for years to come. 

We welcome you to continue this vitally important conversation. Reach out to your elected leaders at every level of government to let us know your thoughts and how we can continue to be responsive to your needs.

 Thank you, and God bless.

Mayor Ray Pacheco