GRAPHIC BY BRENDA SMITH Lometa's 54 percent rise in sales tax receipts and Kempner's 75 percent boost this month easily outpaced the more modest percentage gains of other area entities for July. July sales tax statistics released by the state comptroller continue to show Lampasas County entities making progress in 2008.

As it has all year, the city of Kempner posted the largest percentage gain among its neighbors in the surrounding counties. Its check for $9,381 gives Kempner a sevenmonth sales tax total of $60,176 -- almost $1,500 more than it garnered for all of 2007 and a rise of 129 percent.

Lometa also recorded a significant increase this period. Its payment of $3,950 represents a 54 percent jump for the month and leaves the city with $25,681 in year-todate collections, up 7 percent for the year.

Although the gain in the city of Lampasas was a modest 3 percent for July, the local economy appears to maintain its steady growth. It remains 4 percent ahead of last year's sales tax total with 2008 rebates amounting to $711,174.

Lampasas County saw its monthly payment rise 16 percent with a check for $48,130. Through seven months, the county holds $326,178 in sales taxes to stay 16 percent ahead of 2007 figures.

Sales tax allocations this period are based on local sales that occurred in May and were reported to the comptroller's office in June by businesses that file monthly returns.

"While we have seen the national economy slowing," said Comptroller Susan Combs, "growth in Texas sales tax revenue continues at a steady pace."

That steady upward pace was seen in much of the surrounding area this month but not in San Saba and Burnet counties, as entities there recorded declines for July.

Marble Falls showed a 2 percent dip this period, while Burnet and San Saba both were down 4 percent. Marble Falls is running only 1 percent ahead of 2007 in terms of its year-to-date revenues, which stand at $3.6 million, compared to the $3.56 million collected at this point last year.

The city of Burnet, however, has a current-year total of $931,063 -- up 9 percent for 2008 -- and San Saba is running 11 percent ahead of last year with sales tax receipts of $190,931.

Evant and Hamilton both had double-digit gains in July. They, too, remain solidly ahead of 2007, with Evant showing a 27 percent increase and $11,684 received to date, while Hamilton is up 16 percent over last year with an accumulated total of $255,248.

Goldthwaite saw its sales tax rebate rise 5 percent this period. Although it has had some off months in 2008 where sales tax revenues declined compared to last year, it maintains a 5 percent edge over 2007 with collections that total $154,104.

And the city of Copperas Cove has yet to post a sales tax decline this year. Its July payment for $264,268 gives the Coryell County entity a sevenmonth total of almost $2.03 million -- up 9 percent.

Its neighbor Gatesville reflects an 8 percent increase for July and a 2008 total of $912,769 to maintain a 5 percent edge over last year in sales tax revenues.