Dateline: July 15, 2004

City sales tax rebates ahead for year-to-date

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn said Friday that the state received $1.18 billion in sales tax revenue in June, up 4.1 percent compared to June 2003, and marking 10 consecutive months of sales tax growth.

So far in fiscal year 2004, state sales tax revenue is up 7.7 percent compared to the same point in fiscal year 2003.

Locally, the City of Clarendon’s July sales tax rebate fell 12.07 percent to $16,660; but the city remains more than five percent ahead for its year-to-date total of $141,683.38.

Hedley’s rebate rose to $562.93 up from $425.79 one year ago.  Howardwick posted a 2.82 percent increase and received a rebate of $1,048.27.

Comptroller Strayhorn sent July sales tax allocations of $214 million to Texas cities, up 2.7 percent compared to July 2003. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are up 8 percent compared to the same period last year.

June state sales tax collections and July sales tax allocations to local governments mostly represent sales that occurred in May.