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"We hope we will get a lot of people at these forums. It really would be beneficial to get a lot of ideas from the people," Stratman said.
The first in the series of four forums will be this Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Washington Fire Department headquarters station.
Here's the schedule for the other open meetings:
* Thursday, Nov. 5 - Washington Senior Center, 1459 W. Fifth St.;
* Tuesday, Nov. 10 - South Point Elementary School, 2300 Southbend Drive; and
* Thursday, Nov. 12 - Washington City Hall, 405 Jefferson St.
All of the sessions will run from 7 to 9 p.m.
While the public forums are being held each of the city's four wards, residents from any wards are welcome to attend any meeting.
Stratman said city department personnel did a "run through" for the meetings Thursday.
"Our staff will go all out to explain what's been done with the revenue in the past," Stratman said.
"This is a great chance for the people to learn and give us input on what they'd like to see in the future. Our eyes and ears will be open," the mayor said.
The open sessions will not follow a public hearing format. Rather, there will be displays showing projects that have been completed with the sales tax revenue and stations where people can meet with the different departments to learn about proposed projects.
Citizens will be able to write down comments and make suggestions for using the tax.
After the open forums, the plan is to hold a large, citywide meeting on renewal of the tax.
At the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Wednesday, Stratman remarked that the city staff has prepared a "very thorough analysis" of what has been done with the tax since it was first approved.
"If you look at the list, it is phenomenal the number of good things that have been accomplished because of that tax," he told people attending the event.
If the voters renew the tax again, the mayor said he will propose getting as many projects done "right away" by borrowing the money up front and paying off the loans as sales tax revenue comes in.
Interest rates to borrow money are very good now due to the economy, the mayor said, while the cost to build projects will only go up in the future.
"Hopefully this is something the community can get behind," Stratman said at the event hosted by the Washington Kiwanis Club.
After the public forums, Stratman said he will appoint a citizens committee to prepare a list of needs and projects to be funded with the tax revenue.
He said he plans to ask each council member to suggest a person to serve on the committee and he will also make some selections.
"We want to make sure the committee reflects the community," Stratman told The Missourian. "We also want people on the committee who have a vision for the community. It's not just for the next eight years. It will affect things as we go forward for years."
The current half-cent tax is due to expire June 30, 2010, under a sunset clause.
The first time the tax was approved it had a five-year sunset provision. The sunset clause was increased to eight years on the second and third extensions. It was last renewed in 2001.
Since it was first approved, the tax has generated more than $25 million which has been used to acquire land and improve park facilities, make street and other infrastructure improvements, construct new city buildings and facilities and purchase equipment and make other public safety upgrades.
