JACKSONVILLE —
The latest sales tax revenue numbers from the Texas comptroller’s office have Jacksonville leaders disappointed.
Jacksonville is down 0.4 percent over last year’s sales tax revenue figure of $220,250.93, bringing in $219,363.04 to represent sales made in July; the first month alcohol became widely available in the city.
“I’m surprised,” said Jacksonville Mayor Robert Haberle. “After hearing what the merchants told me about how their gross sales have really improved so much, I’m surprised.”
Jacksonville is, to date, at 8.15 percent below the 2009-to-date number of $2,381,213.52 in sales tax revenue.
The total is $2,187,015.04.
This brings the county monthly total to $282,742.79, a 0.33 percent increase from last year’s September total of $281,809.36.
To date, Cherokee County is down 4.61 percent at $2,903,272.47 from $3,043,837.24.
“We may just be lagging behind,” Haberle said. “Not all of our stores had alcohol in July, but it is what it is. We are essentially flat.”
Haberle said he still anticipates a positive impact from students returning to Jacksonville colleges and beer and wine sales to show in coming months.
“We’ve got to be heading toward positive territory,” Haberle said.
Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation President Darrell Prcin said the number is lower than he thought it would be.
“Hopefully these numbers will improve in the August and September sales tax numbers,” Prcin said of upcoming allocation releases.
Prcin added some retail outlets might traditionally delay their sales tax returns until the end of each quarter and also said August’s numbers may dip slightly thanks to Tax-free Weekend.
New Summerfield was down as well; a 1.39 percent decrease from $1,348.17 to $1,329.43. To date, the city is up 4.43 percent to $13,043.03 from $12,489.18.
Cuney dropped sharply this month. The city experienced a fall of 57.01 percent to $5,214.24 from $12,130.58. To date Cuney is down 29.14 percent from $110,830.39 to $78,532.32.
Alto is up, however, at a 55.18 percent increase from $5,656.58 to $8,778.17 To date Alto is up 47.01 percent to $97,079.13 from $66,033.85.
Wells and Rusk are up as well.
Wells is up 28.55 percent at $2,239.44 compared to $1,741.98 last year, but down 24.87 percent at $18,267.78 versus $24,316.27 to date.
Rusk’s increase is 12.62 percent from $40,681.12 to $45,818.47. To date the city is up 13.44 from $448,954.03 to $509,335.17.
Local News
Tax revenue down despite alcohol sales
- Local News
-
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center announced that La Niña, which contributed to the drought across the southwestern U.S., will dissipate between March and May.
-
Alto police force adds tool to help in fighting crime
The Alto Police Department have an additional tool under its belts for fighting crime — tasers.
-
Bullard bans smoking in city park
Smoking in Bullard's O.L. Ferrell Park is officially illegal after a unanimous decision made by the Bullard city council Thursday evening.
-
Aircraft lifted from Lake Palestine
The Varga Aircraft found in Lake Palestine has been lifted from the water Friday afternoon. The missing pilot, Fred Scholz, has not been found and the search mission continued.
-
JEDCO, city to have joint representation
Through a 4-3 vote, Eldridge Moak will cease to be the attorney representing Jacksonville Development Corp. effective July 1.
-
Alto looks to update infrastructure, town is ‘worn out, structurally’
City officials said it is time to start looking into updating the city's underground infrastructure.
-
Model U.N. gives students a global perspective
Last week, delegates from over 40 countries met in Kilgore to discuss important issues within their borders.
-
2 men charged in aggravated assault
A New Summerfield man turned himself in to the Cherokee County jail last week for a late January aggravated assault incident.
-
Alto police hire two new officers
After six months without a police force, and two months of running with two officers, the Alto Police Department is fully staffed.
-
Rusk officials mull education partnerships
The Rusk Economic Development Corporation board of directors is deliberating a project that could grant every graduating Rusk senior a free education at Tyler Junior College.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief





