Kempner posted the top sales tax gain in March, while Marble Falls claimed the distinction of biggest percentage loss. Sales tax results Kempner and Lometa were the recipients of hefty sales tax rebates this month, as their local allocations made sizable percentage gains in March.

The city of Kempner had the largest percentage gain among entities in Lampasas County and the surrounding area. Its check for $9,045 more than doubled the $4,483 it collected in March 2009 and translated into a 102 percent increase.

Through the first quarter of 2010, Kempner has received $30,800 in local sales taxes -- up 39 percent over the comparable quarter last year.

Lometa posted a 36 percent jump in March. With a payment this period of $3,971, it shows a 2010 cumulative total of $14,376. That figure is 4 percent higher than Lometa garnered through March of 2009.

March rebates are based on tax revenue collected for January sales.

January sales within the city of Lampasas must have been down, as its sales tax receipts slipped 8 percent this period. On the year, however, Lampasas maintains a slight edge over 2009 payments, with $330,187 having been received thus far.

Lampasas County earned a rebate of $50,741 for the half-percent county sales tax it levies. The March payment gives the entity a 14 percent gain for the month and an 8 percent cumulative increase for the first quarter of 2010.

While Kempner and Lometa were the big gainers in March, cities in the surrounding counties showed much smaller increases.

Hamilton recorded a 4 percent gain this period, and its neighbor Evant was up just 2 percent. Burnet also rose 2 percent for the month. San Saba eked out a 1 percent increase, as its March payment of $22,403 was only $150 higher than it collected in March 2009.

Marble Falls posted the largest decline for the period. Its sales tax rebate fell 9 percent in March to give the city 7 consecutive months of percentage decreases. For the first quarter of 2010, Marble Falls maintains sales taxes of $1.4 million, down 8 percent from the $1.53 million it totaled through March of last year.

Both Coryell County cities saw decreases this month, although on a smaller scale. Sales taxes were off by almost 3 percent for Copperas Cove, whereas Gatesville’s dip was just 1 percent.

For the year, both cities remain above their 2009 levels. Copperas Cove has collected $880,859 through the first three months of 2010, up 1 percent; Gatesville has a 3 percent edge, with first-quarter sales taxes that total $403,239.

Goldthwaite also recorded a decline in March, as its sales tax payment fell 5 percent. After a 12 percent drop in February, the Mills County city has fallen behind its 2009 receipts by 4 percent.