Casper, Wyoming – In a decisive Tuesday meeting, the Casper City Council authorized two major municipal contracts that will improve public services and protect the community’s health and safety. Councilors approved a $7,814,133.40 agreement with Sampson Construction Company for the new Metro Animal Services shelter and a $647,500 procurement with Glasco UV for a UV disinfection system at the Sam H. Hobbs Wastewater Treatment Plant.
New Metro Animal Shelter
The council’s contract with Sampson Construction sets the final construction terms for a 9,694‑square‑foot facility designed by Amundsen Associates. The project replaces the city’s aging shelter, which Metro Animal Services Director Jodi Decker described as “aged, failing and undersized for current operational demands.” Decker noted that the existing building was more like a traditional pound, not a modern shelter designed for longer‑term animal care.
The total cost includes a $7,610,610 base fee plus a $203,523.40 owner‑controlled contingency account. Funding comes from a mix of local tax revenues: $6,445,038.40 from the 2024 Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax, $768,280 in unallocated tax proceeds, $535,017.60 from unappropriated Metro funds, and $84,763 transferred from the One Cent #17 project.
Construction is slated to begin after a groundbreaking ceremony on Nov. 5, with substantial completion targeted for late 2027. The new shelter will feature an attached garage and exterior sunshades, improvements that address the current facility’s limitations and enhance the welfare of the animals housed there.
Wastewater Treatment Plant UV Upgrade
Separately, the council approved a $647,500 procurement agreement with New Jersey‑based Glasco UV to replace the ultraviolet disinfection system at the Sam H. Hobbs Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant requires a new open‑channel, low‑pressure, high‑intensity UV system that includes horizontal lamps, quartz sleeves with an automatic wiping system, power distribution centers, and an integrated control panel.
Although competitor Trojan Technologies submitted a lower initial bid of $590,000, municipal staff and project consultant HDR Engineering recommended Glasco UV after a 10‑year life‑cycle cost analysis. Glasco’s present‑worth evaluation, which factors in guaranteed pricing for replacement parts and electricity, totals $330,457.48, compared with Trojan’s projected operational cost of $490,780.72.
The upgraded UV system will treat wastewater after it undergoes biological and chemical processes, exposing the water to germicidal ultraviolet light to inactivate pathogens before discharge into the North Platte River. This enhancement aligns with the city’s commitment to safeguarding water quality for residents and downstream ecosystems.
Community Impact
Both projects reflect Casper’s ongoing investment in essential services that support families, protect public health, and uphold responsible stewardship of local resources. The new animal shelter will provide a humane environment for stray and abandoned pets, while the wastewater plant upgrade ensures cleaner water for households, farms, and recreation along the North Platte River.
City officials emphasized that these contracts were approved after careful review of cost, durability, and long‑term benefits to taxpayers. By prioritizing projects that address critical infrastructure needs, the Casper City Council demonstrates its dedication to responsible governance and the well‑being of the community.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
