City sales tax edges up again

Clarendon’s sales tax revenue continues to grow in 2015 according figures released last week by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

The city’s sales tax allocation for February was $41,751.96, which is up 4.79 percent from the same period one year ago. For the calendar year-to-date, Clarendon is now at $71,390.21, an increase of 5.79 from this point in 2014.

The sales tax figures represent December sales reported by monthly tax filers as well as October, November and December sales by businesses that report tax quarterly.

Hedley saw an increase as well with an allocation this month of $996.06, up 9.33 percent from $911.01 last February. That city is now 1.12 percent ahead for the year at $1,234.04.

Howardwick’s revenue dropped 29.11 percent for the month to $1,051.77 and is now down for the year 17.84 percent at $1,886.78.

Hegar said statewide sales tax revenue in January was $2.56 billion, up 11.2 percent compared to January 2014.

“The growth in sales tax revenues was led by business spending,” Hegar said. “Receipts from the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors were up sharply. In spite of the recent decline in crude oil prices, tax receipts from the oil and natural gas mining sector also grew strongly.

“This allocation marks the 58th consecutive month of year-over-year growth and is indicative of a dynamic and diverse economy that continues to generate business investment and spending in Texas,” Hegar added. “My office will continue to carefully monitor the impact that lower oil prices will have on our state’s economy, but these sales tax allocation numbers are an encouraging sign of continued strength.”