By unanimous vote on January 2nd, the Casper City Council elected Steve Cathey as mayor of Casper for the year 2024, replacing Ray Pacheco. Lisa Engebretsen was also chosen as the vice mayor. The decision was made official with a formal vote on Tuesday, culminating in a city press release in December that named Cathey and Engebretsen as the likely nominees for mayor and vice mayor.
Cathey brings valuable experience to his new role, having served on the city council from 2013 to 2016, including a stint as Casper’s vice mayor. In 2019, he was appointed by the council to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat left by Councilman Chris Walsh’s resignation. Cathey successfully retained the seat in a closely contested election in 2020, and his term extends until January 2025.
Engebretsen, who secured one of the two available seats representing Ward 2 on the Casper City Council in 2020, will continue her role as vice mayor throughout 2024. Like Cathey, her term also expires in January 2025.
It’s important to note that Casper operates with a city manager form of government, which means the mayor’s role is largely ministerial. The mayor, or the vice mayor in the mayor’s absence, presides over meetings, signs resolutions and ordinances, carries out council-directed tasks, and represents the city and council to the public.
The selection of Cathey as mayor and Engebretsen as vice mayor reflects the council’s confidence in their abilities to fulfill these responsibilities. With their experience and dedication, both individuals are poised to contribute to the betterment of Casper this year and beyond.
The appointment of the mayor and vice mayor is a crucial step in ensuring the smooth functioning and leadership of any city. As Casper embarks on a new year, the council’s decision to elect Steve Cathey as mayor and Lisa Engebretsen as vice mayor lays the foundation for productive governance and continued progress. As they assume their roles, Cathey and Engebretsen can look forward to serving the interests of the city and its residents.
