Published: September 15, 2009 10:27 am      

City sales tax decreases

Drop leaves Athens behind mark from 2008

The City of Athens saw its largest percentage drop in sales tax allocations in September, according to reports from State Comptroller Susan Comb’s office.

The city dipped from $371,000 in 2008 to $316,113, a 14.99 percent decrease. The drop leaves Athens 9.26 percent behind 2008 for the year to date.

Combs sent monthly sales tax allocations of $290.3 million to Texas cities, down 12.2 percent compared to last year. Texas counties will receive sales tax allocations of $25.8 million, down 16.5 percent compared to a year ago.

“Monthly sales tax collections continue to decline as most major sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, construction and retail trade, continue to struggle,” Combs said. “So far this calendar year, local sales tax allocations are down 3.3 percent compared to the same period in 2008.

The Athens decrease marked the second consecutive double digit drop for Athens. Athens’ August check of $413,633 was down 12.25 percent from the $471,399 in 2008.

August sales tax allocations represent sales taxes collected in July by businesses that report sales taxes monthly.

Twelve of the 16 Henderson County municipalities saw decreased allocations in September. Countywide, the rebate checks were down more than 10 percent from September, 2008.

City sales tax allocations for September of 2009, followed by percentage increase or decrease:

• Athens, 316,113 (-14.99 percent)

• Berryville, 1,051 (5.03 percent)

• Brownsboro, 9,002 (- 12.20 percent)

• Caney City, 2,713 (-0.01 percent)

• Chandler, 28,204 (-11.55 percent)

• Coffee City, 26,081 (13.57 percent)

• Eustace, (3,661 (-5.31 percent)

• Gun Barrel City, 52,077 (-4.09 percent)

• Log Cabin, 568 (-73.08 percent)

• Malakoff, 30,790 (-7.59 percent)

• Murchison, 2,128 (-75.95 percent)

• Payne Springs, 6,553 (-1.80 percent)

• Poynor, 439 (-74.01 percent)

• Seven Points, 39,549 (-11.99 percent)

• Tool, 6,853 (1.93 percent)

• Trinidad, 3,847 (-42.15

percent)

• County total, 729,637 (-10.84 percent)