City Sales Tax Collections on the Rise

TYLER — Information from the Texas Comptroller indicates that City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of September have increased 2.95 percent as compared to the same period in 2009. Officials say Tyler compares favorably to the statewide average improvement of 2.66 percent. This is the second consecutive month of improved collections versus those reported in the same month in the prior year.

The reported revenue of $2,613,396 comprises $1,742,264 general sales tax revenue and $871,132 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from July 2010 collections, as there is a two-month period before revenue is reported.

“In the proposed 2010/2011 budget, the City planned for a two percent increase in sales tax collections,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel (pictured). “It is gratifying to see that at the end of this fiscal year, the local economy is showing signs of recovery. The City currently has more than 100 positions frozen and these positions will not be refilled until we see several months of growth in our sales tax revenue. We will continue to take a conservative approach and ensure we are operating in a positive financial position; however, we remain cautiously optimistic about the coming year.”