Kempner sees sales tax growth
By GAIL LOWE Staff Writer

GRAPHIC BY ALYCIA HOOPER Most Central Texas entities showed gains this month when sales tax statistics were released by the state comptroller.

Although Lampasas and Lometa joined the city of Burnet as the only area entities to post a sales tax decline in October, Kempner showed up everyone by almost doubling its sales tax return over the same period last year.

Kempner had a 96 percent gain this month with its check for $6,926. The October 2006 rebate amounted to $3,541. For the year, the east Lampasas County city shows sales tax receipts of $44,334 -- up 24 percent in 2007.

Lampasas and Lometa remain ahead of last year in cumulative payments, despite their decreases this month of 3 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Through 10 months, Lampasas clings to a 2 per- cent gain over 2006 with collections of just more than $1 million, while Lometa shows a 10 percent increase at $35,564.

Lampasas County enjoyed an 8 percent gain in October with a sales tax rebate of $45,711. Its half-percent levy on local sales has amounted to $417,709 thus far in 2007 for an increase of 9 percent.

October payments are based on sales transactions made in August that were reported to the state comptroller's office in September. Across the state, cities showed an average gain this month of 6 percent in their sales tax allocations.

Although Burnet had a dip of 5 percent in October, neighbor Marble Falls saw a 7 percent increase for the month and maintains an 8 percent gain on the year. Cumulative payments for 2007 give Marble Falls a 10-month total of $5.2 million. Burnet's yearly accumulation of $1.25 million is off almost 2 percent from the $1.27 million it garnered to this point last year.

The only other area city whose year-to-date sales tax revenue is short of the comparable 2006 period is Hamilton. Receipts through October come to $320,598 -- just $825 or 0.25 percent less than last year.

Neighboring city Evant meanwhile posted a 12 percent increase for the month and 29 percent gain for the year. Its 2007 collections stand at $14,687.

In Coryell County, Copperas Cove and Gatesville had above-average gains in October at 9 percent and 11 percent, respectively. On the year, both have increased sales tax receipts when compared to 2006. Copperas Cove has a 10-month total of almost $2.7 million, while Gatesville's total is $1.25 million.

San Saba has put together backto back double-digit increases in September and October to erase earlier sales tax declines in 2007. With a 12 percent gain last month and 16 percent jump this period, the city now reflects a 3 percent increase over 2006 with revenues of $250,325.

And Goldthwaite's sales tax rebates are running 5 percent ahead of last year at $211,665. For October, the Mills County seat garnered a check for $18,517, up 4 percent for the month.