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An additional hearing has been added for this Sunday, Nov. 15, from 1-4 p.m. at city hall.
A session also was held Tuesday evening at South Point Elementary School.
After the open forums, the plan is to hold a large, citywide meeting on renewal of the tax.
The public forums are designed to allow citizens to provide feedback on the possible renewal of the half-cent sales tax, which 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.
Before city officials decide if they want to place the renewal of the tax on the April municipal ballot, they are gathering input from residents regarding the tax.
At the forums, citizens can see meet with department supervisors, city council representatives and other city officials and look at displays on past projects funded by the sales tax and give input on future projects that could be funded with tax revenue.
Some of the items on the wish lists of departments include:
* Mobile terminals and software upgrades for police vehicles;
* Two pumper trucks, an expansion of the new fire training center and a new fire station;
* A recreation facility with exercise equipment and an indoor swimming pool, restrooms or a shelter at Phoenix Park, a new dog park, a new skate park or playgrounds; and
* The expansion of the city library.
Citizens are encouraged to write down their own comments and make suggestions for capital improvement projects and sign up to serve on the mayor's ad hoc committee, which will consider the proposed projects after the forums are held.
"This is an opportunity for you as a taxpayer to express your feelings and desires for community betterment projects and improvements you believe will enhance your quality of life and hopefully your standard of living," according to an open letter to the citizens from city staff.
Since the capital sales tax was first approved, it has generated more than $25 million.
Following is the general breakdown on the projects proposed when voters approved the last renewal of the tax in April 2001. Some of the projects have been completed as proposed, while others have been eliminated or revised to meet changing needs and others have yet to be accomplished.
* Downtown - $1.5 million, for such things as riverfront improvements, a downtown streetscape, relocation of railroad siding and parking;
* Transportation - $2.2 million, for reconstruction of Highway A in city limits, new bridges over Busch Creek at Sunnyside Street and Madison Avenue;
* Emergency Services - $2.2 million, for new fire training tower, additional future fire station, new fire ladder truck and additional weather warning siren;
* City Facilities - $3.15 million, possible uses include renovation of Elks property, projects to provide additional space for city library and police facilities, and the cost of a feasibility study for a new civic center;
* Parks - $2.1 million, for replacement of water slide, purchase of new parkland, and new aerial ladder truck;
* Economic Development - $1 million to help finance infrastructure improvements for Heidmann Industrial Park;
* Sanitary Sewer System - $300,000, for extension of sanitary sewer lines, manhole rehabilitation and lining old sewer pipes;
* Vision 20/20 - $300,000 for various proposals within the 20/20 plan; and
* Stormwater - $250,000, for miscellaneous stormwater improvement projects.
