By Andy Sevilla.
Despite lower sales tax revenue in January, compared to 2013, Dripping Springs collected $354,000 in 2014 payments-to-date, marking a 9.8 percent increase from its 2013 figure during the same reporting period.
According to a recently released report by the Texas Comptroller, Dripping Springs was the only Hays County city to bring in less sales tax revenue for January this year.
Dripping Springs experienced a 4.6 percent loss in sales, receiving only $92,600 in sales tax revenue this month, the report said. The city received $97,000 in sales tax revenue for March 2013.
March sales tax collections represent January sales reported to the state agency by monthly tax filers.
Kyle saw the largest percentage sales tax revenue growth this month, when compared to the same month last year, of any of the major Hays County cities.
Kyle began the year with an 8.8 percent increase in revenue, bringing in nearly $300,000 in sales tax collections this month, the report showed. Kyle received $275,000 in March last year.
So far this year, Kyle has collected $1.13 million in sales tax revenue, a 12.5 percent jump over its collections during January, February and March of 2013. This time last year, Kyle had received $1 million in sales tax allocations.
Buda experienced 5.2 percent sales tax growth for January sales compared to the same month last year. The city took in $315,000 in sales tax collections this month, the report showed. Buda took in $300,000 in revenue for the month of March last year.
With January, February and March collections combined, Buda has received $1.16 million this year; up 9.2 percent from the $1.06 million the city took in during the same three months last year.
San Marcos, by far, received the largest actual dollar amount in sales tax collections this month than any other Hays County city. San Marcos received $1.73 million in revenue this month, a three percent jump from the $1.68 it received in March last year.
So far this year, San Marcos has received $6.62 million in sales tax collections, a 6.4 percent jump from the $6.22 million it received during the first three months of 2013.
Wimberley had the lowest positive growth in sales tax collections than any other Hays County city this month, the comptroller’s report showed. It received $37,100 in sales tax revenue, up 2.2 percent from the $36,300 it received in March 2013.
In the first three months of 2014, Wimberley received a total $162,579 in sales tax collections, which is a 3.61 percent improvement from its 2013 figure – $156,912 – it received during the same three months last year.
For sales in the unincorporated areas, Hays County received nearly $1 million in sales tax collections this month, a seven percent jump from the $931,000 it received in March last year.
In 2014 payments-to-date, Hays County has received $3.65 million in sales tax revenues, marking a 6.8 percent improvement over its $3.42 million it received during the same three months last year.
Texas Comptroller said in a statement that with Hays County’s totals included, she distributed $553 million in monthly sales tax revenue to local governments across the state.
“Sales tax revenue continues its growth streak and has now increased for 47 consecutive months,” she said. “Growth in tax collections was seen across all major economic sectors including oil and gas, wholesale trade and the services sector.”
Statewide, March local sales tax collections were up 4.1 percent compared to the same month last year.
