By Andy Sevilla
Cities across Hays County saw an uptick in their sales tax collections this month. Two towns in the eastern part of the county, Niederwald and Uhland, brought in 51 percent and 11 percent more, respectively, than the same time period the previous year.
While the town of about 550 residents in eastern Hays County is usually quiet, Niederwald’s sales tax collections grew by nearly 51 percent in this month, when compared to October last year.
According to recently released data by the Texas Comptroller’s Office, Niederwald took in $2,644 in sales tax collections this month. Last October, the town received $1,755 in sales tax collections.
October’s sales tax figures represent monthly sales made in August.
So far this year, Niederwald has collected $19,215, up 12.6 percent from its $17,066 collection during the same ten months last year.
Niederwald’s neighbor to the southwest along State Highway 21, Uhland - a town almost twice the size in population - received $9,520 in sales tax collections this month. Last October, Uhland took in $8,592.
From January through October, Uhland has collected $86,050 in sales tax revenues, about 30 percent more than its receipts last year during the same reporting period, comptroller data shows.
Hays County’s northern corridor cities’ sales tax collections grew by double-digits this month, when compared to their collections last October.
Buda received $443,858 in sales tax collections this month, up 26.7 percent over its $350,220 in sales tax collections last October, comptroller data shows.
Buda’s continuous sales tax growth trajectory has catapulted the city to collect more than $4 million from January through October. During the same ten months last year, Buda collected $3.37 million.
This month Kyle collected $362,331 in sales taxes revenues, up 18.1 percent over its $306,735 allocation last October.
So far this year, Kyle has received $3.9 million in sales tax collections, comptroller data shows. Over the same ten months last year, Kyle received $3.35 million in sales tax revenue.
San Marcos, the county’s largest city and home to a major university and to two outlet malls, collected $2.18 million in sales tax revenue this month, a slight increase (1.04 percent) over its collection last October.
Comptroller data shows San Marcos collected $2.15 million in sales tax revenue in the same month last year.
So far in 2014, San Marcos has collected $20.4 million in sales tax revenues, up 4.4 percent over its $19.5 million in sales tax allocations during the same ten months last year.
In the western portion of Hays County, Dripping Springs and Wimberley both experienced double-digit growth in sales tax collections this month over the same month last year, comptroller data revealed.
Dripping Springs received $123,988 in sales tax collections this month, a 15.7 percent hike over its $107,168 collection last October.
During 2014’s first ten months, Dripping Springs collected $1.26 million in sales tax revenues, up 11.3 percent over its $1.13 million sales tax allocations during the same reporting period in 2013.
Wimberley this month collected $50,608 in sales tax revenue, an increase of 10.2 percent over its $45,919 sales tax allocation in October 2013.
So far this year, Wimberley has received $572,916 in sales tax collections, up 9.55 percent over its $522,960 sales tax allocations during the same reporting months last year.
Hays County, which collects half-a-penny on every dollar spent inside its borders, received $1.21 million in sales tax revenue this month. Last October, the county took in $1.16 million in sales tax collections.
So far in 2014, Hays County has collected $11.8 million in sales tax revenues, up 7.4 percent when compared to its $11 million in sales tax allocations during the same ten months last year.
Statewide, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs is returning $622 million in monthly sales tax revenue to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts.
“Significant growth in sales tax revenues occurred across all major economic sectors, reflecting strength in both business and consumer spending,” Combs said in a statement. “The gains were led by remittances from the oil and natural gas-related and manufacturing sectors, as well as from restaurants and retail trade.”
