City continues to reap tax bonanza

By BRENDA ALLUMSnews@kilgorenewsherald.com

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn said today that the state received $1.2 billion in sales tax revenue in March, a two percent increase compared to March 2004. By comparison, sales tax receipts in Kilgore are up 38 percent over last April.

Strayhorn sent $311.4 million in April sales tax allocations to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, a 5.5 percent increase compared to April 2004.

So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to local governments are up 6.5 percent.

Comptroller Strayhorn sent April sales tax allocations of $211.7 million to Texas cities, up 6.3 percent compared to April 2004. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are running nearly 7 percent higher than last year.

This month’s check to Kilgore was $477,922, an increase of 38.37 percent over the same reporting time last year. Last year at this time, the city received $345,381. Year-to-date, Kilgore has received $2.086 million in tax allotments, an increase of 36.93 percent over last year when the city had received $1.5 million year-to-date.

Longview, Tyler, Overton and Henderson also showed increases in revenue.

Longview received $1.57 million for this reporting period. During the same time last year, the city received $1.3 million. This year’s figures show an increase of 20.77 percent for the reporting period and an 8.47 percent increase year-to-date. Last year Longview received checks amounting to $6.6 million while this year the city has received $7.2 million thus far.

Tyler comes in 18th in the state in the amount of revenue this reporting period. Tyler received a net payment of $2.096 million, up 12.75 percent from last year at this time when it received $1.85 million. Year-to-date the city has received $9.86 million, up just over 8 percent from last year.

Henderson also showed an increase in tax revenue from the state. Year-to-date, the city’s revenues are up 11.15 percent from $905,478 to $1.006 million. For the reporting period tax revenue for the Rusk County seat was up 24.03 percent from $201,702 last year at this time to $250,189 this year.

Overton’s $12,882 tax allotment for this reporting period is 18.54 percent higher than last year at this time when it received $10,866. Year-to-date tax revenues for Henderson are up 11.15 percent from $905,478 in 2004 to $1.006 so far this year.

Although Lakeport showed a 36.53 percent increase from the April reporting period last year, it’s overall numbers are down 3.96 percent. During this time period Lakeport received $3,215 in tax rebates, up from the same time last year when it received $2,354. Year-to-date, the city is down from $15,424 to $14,813.

Texas counties received sales tax payments of $18.7 million, up 12.1 percent compared to one year ago. Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 9.5 percent higher than last year.

The next sales tax allocation will be made on Friday, May 13.

CITYApril ‘05April ‘04ChangeRate

Kilgore477,921345,38038.40%1.50%

Longview1,571,5341,301,24620.80%1.50%

Henderson250,181201,70224%2%

Overton12,85210,86618.50%1.50%

Gladewater57,45447,34621.30%1.50%