Comptroller To Send December Sales Tax Revenue To Cities And Counties

HOUSTON COUNTY - Area cities and counties will soon be receiving their February sales tax revenue disbursements from the state.

In a press release dated Feb. 8, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said, “Sales tax revenue continues to grow in almost all major economic categories and revenue has now increased for 22 consecutive months.”

The press release stated state sales tax revenue in January was $2 billion, up 9.5 percent compared to January 2011.

Combs will send February local sales tax allocations totaling $708.5 million to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, up 8.2 percent compared to February 2011. Combs further said. “The recent monthly increase was led by the oil and natural gas-related sectors. Restaurants and services sectors also showed significant gains.” The sales tax figures represent monthly sales made in December as well as sales by businesses that report tax on a quarterly or annual basis.

The incorporated cities in Houston County showed mixed results with three communities showing an increase and two showing a decrease in sales tax revenue. The county, itself, showed a slight decline in sales tax revenue. Houston County has a tax rate of 0.50 percent. It will receive $85,853.57 which is down from $85,953.28 for the same tax period last year. This represents a decrease of .11 percent. Year to date figures however, show the county with an up tick in tax revenues. So far this year, Houston County has received $145,705.78-compared to last year’s total of $140,077.26 for an increase of 4.01 percent.

The city of Crockett, which has a 1.5 percent tax rate, will receive $150,285.24 in sales tax revenue. This is down from $151,528.61 for the same tax period last year for a slight .82 percent decrease. Year to date figures, however, show a small increase from $254,527.82 to $256,300.25 for a .69 percent growth in tax revenue.

The city of Grapeland, which also has a 1.5 percent tax rate, will receive $20,027.35 in sales tax revenue. This is down from $22,695.58 for the same tax period last year for an 11.75 percent decrease. Year to date figures also show a significant decline from $41,886.68 received last year at this time to $32,362.87 received so far this year for a 22.73 percent decrease in tax revenue.

The city of Kennard, which has a 1.0 percent tax rate, will receive $1,627.46 in sales tax revenue. This is up from $1,413.19 for the same tax period last year for a 15.16 percent increase. Year to date figures are also showing an increase in revenue. So far this year, Kennard has received $2,770.15 compared to $2,527.00 from last year, for an increase of 9.62 percent in tax revenue.

The city of Latexo, which also has a 1.0 percent tax rate, will receive $1,376.35 in sales tax revenue. This is down from $2,839.73 for the same tax period last year for a 51.53 percent decrease. Year to date figures are also showing a decrease from $4,057.67 received last year compared to $3,872.33 received so far this year, for a 4.56 percent decline in tax revenue.

The city of Lovelady, which has a 1.25 percent tax rate, will receive $5,504.55 in sales tax revenue. This is significantly higher than $3,412.99 for the same tax period last year for a 61.28 percent increase. Year to date figures also showing a marked increase from $6,190.64 to $9,104.32 for a 47.06 percent growth in tax revenue.

Anderson County, which has a 0.50 percent tax rate, will receive $249,370.32 in sales tax revenue. This is up from $241,510.17 for the same tax period last year for a 3.25 percent increase. Year to date figures are also showing an increase from $411,334.14 to $465,907.55 for a 13.62 percent increase in tax revenue.

The city of Elkhart, which has a 1.25 percent tax rate, will receive $11,611.83 in sales tax revenue. This is up from $10,957.12 for the same tax period last year for a 5.97 percent increase. Year to date figures are also showing an increase from $18,481.62 to $19,364.01 for a 4.77 percent growth in tax revenue.

The city of Palestine, which has a 1.50 percent tax rate, will receive $663,933.49 in sales tax revenue. This is up from $659,743.77 for the same tax period last year for a .63 percent increase. Year to date figures, however, are showing a slight decrease from a total of $1,111,609.98 received last year at this time to $1,108,572.13 received so far this year, for a .27 percent decline in tax revenue.