Casper's new neighborhood improvement program is looking at a 40 percent budget cut.

Congress decreased national funding 35 percent, which locally amounts to $100,000 of the Weed and Seed program's expected $250,000 budget.

Still in its infancy, the program now faces a choice of downsizing some of its projects or seeking alternative funding, said Mike Burnett, the Weed and Seed/Meth Initiative program coordinator.

The program works with city and county officials on joint efforts such as the Natrona County Adult Drug Court and the youth diversion program.

One of its goals is to foster positive relationships between police officers and Casper residents including neighborhood watch programs and the annual Methamphetamine and Substance Abuse Conference.

The third componant is prevention, intervention and treatment. Weed and Seed helps provide prenatal health care for young, single and low-income mothers. It also provides job skills and parenting classes for the new mother and health care for the newborn baby.

The final focus area is neighborhood restoration.

"This is a tremendous program," Burnett said, which he thinks will help the Casper community. The city already funds portions of Weed and Seed programs. If Weed and Seed doesn't find more funding, some of the largest proposed cuts may happen in overtime for workers, and training.

Weed and Seed officials will present their case to the Casper City Council tonight and ask for direction on how to proceed.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com

Council work session

The council will also discuss:

* Courthouse project update and a request from Natrona County for reimbursement of building and planning permit fees.

* A request to help pay for a Chris Navarro sculpture of horses. The development authority still needs to raise $28,000 of the total $70,000 cost.

* An update on the downtown parking debate.

* A discussion of possible solutions to dogs biting letter carriers. Potential solutions include insurance for dogs deemed aggressive or a website telling the location of aggressive dogs.

* A discussion of Life Step's long range plan.