The most recent sales tax statistics released by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs show signs of economic recovery for the state, as well as good news for the Central Texas counties that surround Lampasas.

All but one city in the sixcounty area for which the Dispatch Record maintains sales tax figures posted an increase in May -- a feat that hasn’t occurred since October 2008.

May payments are based on March sales reported to the comptroller by monthly tax filers, along with first-quarter sales by those businesses that file quarterly returns with the state.

Although Lometa was the lone entity to show a decline this period, its year-to-date collections remain 3 percent ahead of 2009 sales tax receipts for the comparable months. Lometa has collected $23,411 thus far in 2010.

Kempner recorded the largest percentage gain in May among area cities. Its sales tax rebate of $13,386 gives Kempner a 40 percent increase this month and a total of $51,982 for the year, up 22 percent over 2009 through the first five months.

The city of Lampasas saw sales taxes edge upward slightly. With a check for $112,721, it posted a 1 percent gain for both the month and year to date. Total collections for 2010 stand at $532,740.

Lampasas County, with its half-percent levy on local sales, earned $52,775 in May or almost 6 percent more than in May 2009. The county also shows a 6 percent gain for the year.

Burnet and Marble Falls both had sales tax increases this month that helped offset significant percentage declines from April, however neither city has been able to keep pace with 2009 sales receipts.

May marks the first period since August 2009 that Marble Falls has posted an increase in its monthly sales tax rebate. It has fallen 6 percent behind last year’s total, with $2.38 million collected through the first five months; last year it had received $2.52 million at this point.

Burnet trails 2009 by just 2 percent. Its five-month total amounts to $619,217, and the May increase of 17 percent is the highest percentage Burnet has seen since December 2008.

Goldthwaite also recorded a large gain this month, as its sales tax payment of $30,083 represents a 34 percent jump. The Mills County seat has a 2010 total of $117,800 to keep it 6 percent ahead of last year’s sales tax receipts through May.

Copperas Cove posted a 12 percent increase in May, while neighboring city Gatesville was up 6 percent. Both entities have outpaced 2009 returns thus far. Payments to date for Copperas Cove total $1.56 million for a gain of 5 percent on the year. Gatesville’s five-month total of $670,292 is running almost 4 percent ahead of comparable 2009 figures.

The city of Hamilton recorded its first double-digit sales tax gain of the year, as the $46,587 check this month reflects a 13 percent rise over May 2009. But Hamilton’s year-to-date total trails cumulative payments from last year by 4 percent.

San Saba also lags behind 2009 sales tax revenues, despite having posted a 6 percent increase this month. Its check this period for $28,711 gives it a five-month total of $134,730 for 2010.

In Evant, which has seen sales tax gains in 10 of the last 11 periods, the May rebate of $2,618 was up 5 percent. The city maintains a 6 percent increase over 2009 with a cumulative total this year that stands at $10,194.

Sales tax allocations sent this month to Texas cities represented an average gain of 5 percent compared to May 2009, according to the state comptroller. “This modest increase is welcome after 14 consecutive months of yearover year declines,” Mrs. Combs said.