One million dollars
City's monthly sales tax check clears a milestone
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

For the first time in history, Kilgore's monthly sales tax check topped the $1 million mark.

Susan Combs, state comptroller, released February's sales tax allocation report this week.

Kilgore's allocation check totaled $1,054,711, up 20.14 percent from the $926,316 received last February.

Year-to-date allocations for the city total $1,826,469 up 15.13 percent over last year's year-to-date allocations of $1,586,305 through February.

"This is a good indication that Kilgore is on a strong economic growth pattern," Jeff Howell, city manager, said.

Across the region, sales tax rebates continue to increase.

Henderson - where the sales tax rate is half a percent higher than in Kilgore - received a check for $565,819, up 26.84 percent over the $446,082 received during this same period last year. Henderson's year-todate allocation total is $981,217 a gain of 25.01 percent over last year's year-to-date total of $744,505.

Longview received an allocation check for $2,041,681. This allocation is 10.4 percent higher than the allocation of $1,849,522, received this same period last year.

Longview's year-to-date total is $5,282,474 up 5.10 percent over year-to-date totals of $5,026,004 at this time last year.

Tyler dropped off of the comptroller's list of top 20 Texas cities for sales tax revenue earnings. During this payment period, Tyler received $4,128,231 up 5.05 percent from this payment period last year when the city received a check for $3,929,747. Year-todate Tyler has received $6,715,252 - 2.70 percent more than last year's year-todate total of $6,538,525, at this same time.

Lakeport's sales tax rebate of $10,457 this month is a whopping 61.96 percent above the $6,456 received last February. Year-to-date, the city of Lakeport has received $16,240, up 14.55 percent over year-to-date totals of $14,177, from this same period last year.

For this reporting period, White Oak is up 5.97 percent from earnings this same period last year of $75,666 to $80,184 this period. Year-to-date, White Oak has received $150,733, down 1.43 percent from the year-to-date total of $152,920 reported last February..

Gladewater's check this month for $105,883 is up 20.14 percent over the $88,128 earned this same reporting period last year. Year-to-date the city of Gladewater has received $170,840 in sales tax revenue allocations, up 16.99 percent from the year-to-date total of $146,019 at this time last year.

Gregg County sales tax revenues are up 6.73 percent with a sales tax revenue return of $4,464,330 this period. In the same period last year, the county received $4,231,460. Year-todate totals for Gregg County are $7,456,150, up 7.57 percent over year-to-date totals of $6,930,816 at this time last year.

Smith County also recorded tax revenue increases. The county is up 5.29 percent over an allocation of $4,231,460 this same period last year, having just received a check for $4,455,314. Year to date Smith County has received $7,289,229, up 3.15 percent over year-to-date allocations, totaling $7,066,303 at this time last year.

Both counties collect sales taxes on retail sales in un-incorporated areas. Rusk County does not levy a sales tax.

Susan Comb's, Texas comptroller, reported that the state collected $1.85 billion in sales tax revenue in January, up 5.2 percent, compared to January 2007.

"State sales tax collections through the first five months of the [state's] fiscal year, September 2007 through January 2008, are up 6.8 percent compared to the same period last fiscal year," Combs said. "While growth remains firm, it is slower than that of the past two years. This moderation is consistent with the slowing economy."

According to the comptroller's report, Combs sent $640.8 million in local sales tax to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special-purpose taxing districts, up 5.1 percent compared to sale tax distributions to local governments in February 2007.

Allocations received this month are from tax collected on December sales and paid to the state in January.

Of the 8.25 cents per dollar collected at Kilgore registers, 6.25 cents per dollar goes to the state and one cent per dollar returns to the city. Kilgore Economic Development Corporation and Gregg County each get half a cent per dollar.

The next allocation report from Combs' office is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12.