Sales tax surge benefits Kilgore and area cities

The upward surged of sales taxes in Texas continues as Kilgore and other area cities reap the benefit.

The state collected $1.57 billion in sales tax revenue in April, up 17.2 percent compared to April 2005, according to

Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn.

Local governments are also enjoying double digit sales tax growth. Strayhorn said local governments will receive $501.9 million in May sales tax allocations, up 10.1 percent compared to May 2005.

Kilgore received a net payment this period of $761,163. That reflects and 18.19 percent increase over the same period last year when the city received $643,975.

Year-to-date, Kilgore has received 25.49 percent more in sales tax allotment than by this time last year. The city has received a total of $3,426,849. Last year at this time, the city had received a total of $2,730,582.

Longview's sales tax allotment didn't grow as much this period as in previous, showing only a 1.54 percent increase. For this period, Longview received $2,330,407. Last year for this reporting period Longview received $2,294,903. Year-to-date, the city has received $10,659,158, a 12.47 percent increase over last year's total at this time $9,476,685.

White Oak received $70,462 this reporting period. This is 31 percent more than for the same period last year when it received $53,782. Yearto date White Oak is showing a 27.33 percent increase in sales tax revenue, receiving $318,557 so far this year over last year's $250,164.

The city of Gladewater received almost 1 percent less from sales taxes this reporting period. The city received $75,624. Last year it received $76,200 for the reporting period. Overall, Gladewater has received $348,515, up 9.36 percent from last year at this time when its total was $318,659.

Sales tax revenue in Henderson for this reporting period is up 12.68 percent. The city received $364,454 up from last year's $323,432. Yearto date the city has received a total of $1,654,087, up 24.37 percent over last year's total at this time of $1,329,902.

Overton's sales tax check for this period is up 3.67 percent from $25,156 last year to $26,081 this reporting period. Year-to-date Overton has received a total of $102,645 in sales tax revenue, up 19.82 percent from $85,663's total for the same time last year.

So far this calendar year, sales tax allocations to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts are up 15.3 percent compared to a year ago.

Strayhorn sent May sales tax allocations of $344.3 million to Texas cities, up 10.2 percent from May, 2005. Calendar year-to-date, city sales tax allocations are up 14.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Texas counties received sales tax payments of $29 million, up 9.3 percent compared to one year ago. Calendar year-to-date, county sales tax allocations are 16 percent higher than last year.

May's sales tax allocations to local governments represent March sales that were reported to the Comptroller in April by monthly tax filers, and January, February and March sales reported to the Comptroller in April by quarterly tax filers.