WM sales tax numbers flat, as A&P, Southland revenues rise

WM sales tax numbers flat, as A&P, Southland revenues rise

2017 collections staying close to budget projections

news@theeveningtimes.com

“Southland is doing its thing,” observed West Memphis Councilman Marco McClendon as three tax collection reports were laid out at the October budget meeting, presented by City Treasurer Frank Martin.

While Southland Park Gaming and Racing collections continued strong returns, showing another monthly increase in revenues going into city tax coffers and the A& P tax produced double-digit improvement, the city’s general sales tax slid down again, albeit slightly The October sales tax was off only a fraction from budget projections, missing the mark by .20 percent, or $1,493. This was the second consecutive year for an October fall from the previous year. Year-to-date, reported sales tax revenue is down $127,389, or 1.69 percent, below last year’s numbers. Overall, the city is running behind the planned budget by $18,336. Martin summarized the monthly county sales tax numbers.

“County is up, city is down,” said Martin.

The city’s share of the sales tax distributed in October by the county was up slightly, 1.19 percent for a modest $2,054 increase, but county collections so far this year were still slightly down, by $10,340, .60 percent.

With the flat month for city sales tax collections standing in contrast to the tourism revenue — both the Advertising and Promotion Tax and Southland receipts showing positive for the month — City Councilman Wayne Croom laid out his concern for the future.

“I’m wondering about the city, only four months out of the ten we have been up,” said Croom. “What is happening to improve sales tax collection in the city?”

Council members expressed hope that the new hospital would serve as a magnet to attract growth in the area along the 7th Street extended, Southland Drive and Highway 77 south of the train tracks.

“The hospital should attract some retail,” said budget chairman Tracy Catt.

The tourism tax, collected on hotel and restaurant receipts, was up $14,900 over the same month last year.

The numbers reflected a 12.69 percent increase for September. The bump pushed the year-to-date “hamburger tax” figures above 2016 collections.

The A& P tax is up $396 over this time last year and $42,121 above budget projections.

“Up is up,” quipped Martin about the modest increase. “I’m encouraged by the A& P.”

And Southland did, indeed, continue to “do its thing.” City collections from the largest tourism attraction in the state have amounted to $2.7 million so far this year, $201,524 better than during the same span last year, for an increase of 7.94 percent.

By John Rech