Sales tax activity slows
Lampasas County cities, however, continue to reflect strong results through November
By GAIL LOWE Staff Writer

GRAPHIC BY ALYCIA HOOPER Several area cities reflected a recent slowing down in retail sales activity, but that was not true this period for Kempner. The city posted the largest percentage gain in November of any entity in the surrounding counties.

With just one month remaining in the year, all Lampasas County entities show increased sales tax receipts over 2006.

While Lampasas and Lometa posted solid gains this period of 6 percent and 7 percent, respectively, the city of Kempner was the big winner in November. Its sales tax return climbed 74 percent, by far the largest percentage increase among area entities.

Kempner also shows the highest yearly gain, as its 2007 cumulative receipts of $51,818 are 29 percent above the $40,035 collected to this point last year. Evant follows closely with a 28 percent jump this year.

November payments to local cities are based on September sales reported to the state comptroller in October by those businesses that file monthly returns, and include July-August- September sales from quarterly tax filers.

The city of Lampasas garnered a check for $109,821 in November, which gives it an 11- month total of $1.11 million -- up 2 percent for 2007.

Lometa's sales tax rebates through this period total $39,193, for a gain of more than 9 percent over last year's payments.

And for Lampasas County, which levies a half-percent sales tax, the November rebate of $52,529 gives it a 23 percent increase this month and a 10 percent increase for 2007. Yearto date payments stand at $470,238 for the county.

Apart from Kempner, the only cities in the surrounding counties to show a double-digit gain in November were Evant, at 21 percent, and Burnet, at 19 percent.

And while Evant has recorded solid increases over 2006 throughout the year, the city of Burnet finds itself just 0.1 percent ahead of last year's receipts through 11 months. It holds cumulative sales taxes of $1.39 million for 2007.

Marble Falls maintains an 8 percent edge over last year, as its payments to date total almost $5.77 million -- the largest dollar amount earned among entities in the neighboring counties.

Copperas Cove, Hamilton and San Saba all recorded monthly percentage declines this period, but only the city of Hamilton trails the 2006 sales tax level it posted previously. Copperas Cove is up 3 percent for 2007 with an accumulated total of $2.97 million. San Saba has $276,818 on the year for a 2 percent advantage, while Hamilton is down 1 percent with an 11-month total of $358,524.

Gatesville shows a solid 7 percent gain this year with payments to date creeping close to the $1.39 million mark.

And in Goldthwaite, the city maintains a 5 percent edge over 2006 with cumulative sales tax revenues this year of $235,210.

The state collected $1.65 billion in sales tax revenue in October, up 3 percent compared to October 2006.

"This increase is less than the growth seen in recent months," said Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, "but it is an increase over exceptional October 2006 collections. The lower growth rate is a reflection of a general easing of sales activity, most noticeable in the retail trade sector and is consistent with a slowing economy."

November Payments to Area Cities