More than any other single item discussed by the Casper City Council, members agree that the optional one-cent sales tax needs to be passed by voters next November.

The money accounts for more than 10 percent of the city's total budget this year, and not having that would mean water rate increases and construction projects brought to a trickle, city officials warn.

Concerned that voters may reject a tax that's vital to maintaining current city services, city council members agreed at Monday's work session to respond to any negative letter written to the Star-Tribune about the optional one-cent sales tax.

The decision is part of an effort to ensure passage of the measure during the next election, about a year away.

Ward 1 Councilwoman Kim Holloway pointed to an Oct. 30 letter from a Casper resident that had received four comments on the Star-Tribune Web site.

"You can't let these things go by," she said. "We should take any opportunity to correct this information and give people history."

The letter writing, which hasn't yet begun, is part of the city's ongoing efforts to sell the sales tax to the city.

Half a dozen city employees have been meeting on a regular basis to draw up educational materials and surveys to gauge how residents want their money spent.

A logo was designed and then presented to the city council, and the employees have been planning meetings to recruit local residents for their amplified efforts.

Though it's illegal for the city to actively work on behalf of a tax initiative, city officials contend their efforts are "educational."

"There are two roles, or channels. One is gathering information on how to spend sales tax money. The other track is a private group that is out there saying 'vote for this'," Forslund explained. "In terms of gathering this information - we need citizens but they can't do it by themselves. They need administrative support."

Forslund told council members he expected the city's efforts to be completed before the end of the summer, when the Casper Chamber of Commerce would take over and do the rest of the heavy lifting.

You can reach city reporter Pete Nickeas at pete.nickeas@trib.com or (307) 266-0639. You can read more about Casper politics and government at http://tribtown.trib.com/redtape