Dateline: September 21, 2006

Local city sales taxes move upward in August

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn announced Tuesday that the state collected $1.64 billion in sales tax in August, up 10.9 percent compared to a year ago, and local sales tax revenues were also up dramatically. 

After dropping 1.99 percent last month, Clarendon’s allocation bounced back and gained 25.44 percent this month to $26,170.83. September’s rebate brings the city’s year-to-date total up 9.68 percent to $219,797.21.

Revenues for the City of Hedley climbed 15.15 percent to $916.14, nudging that city’s year-to-date figure up 66.80 percent to $7,289.27.

Howardwick also posted an allotment of $1,453.58, which is up 5.88 percent from the same period one year ago and placing the city ahead 6.36 percent for the year at $9,086.94.

Strayhorn said when the state’s 2006 fiscal year ended August 31, sales tax collections totaled $18.2 billion, 12 percent higher than in FY 05.

Statewide the comptroller delivered $405.4 million in September sales tax payments to local governments, a 13.2 percent increase compared to September 2005.   So far this calendar year, local sales tax allocations are up 14.7 percent compared to the same period in 2005. 

Strayhorn sent September sales tax allocations of $277.6 million to Texas cities, up 13.5 percent compared to September 2005.  Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax rebates are running 14.2 percent higher than last year. 

September’s sales tax allocations include local sales taxes collected in July and reported to the Comptroller in August.