Sales Tax Revenue Climbs In Three Cities, Down In One

Rogers sales tax continues to break records, climbing 12.4 percent over the March 2012 collection. Fayetteville and Springdale were up less than 1 percent and Bentonville slid 3.2 percent.

Sales tax revenue delivered in April reflects February sales tax collected in March.

Comparisons are based on collection from the same month in the previous year. Each city, with the exception of Bella Vista, collects a 2 percent sales tax. One percent of the tax is devoted to repaying bonds; the other 1 percent goes into each city’s general fund and is available for operation. For the purpose of this report, NWA Media tracks the 1 percent going into general funds.

By The Numbers

Sales Tax Revenue

City April 2012 April 2013 Percentage Change YTD 2012 YTD 2013

Bentonville $694,381 $671,902 -3.2 $2,629,511 $2,762,705

Rogers $969,896 $1,089,713 +12.4 $4,241,157 $4,719,102

Springdale $828,763 $834,571 +0.7 $3,341,638 $3,375,334

Fayetteville $1,370,602 $1,371,825 +0.9 $5,703,799 $6,004,873

Siloam Springs $244,935 $227,316 -7.2 $939,731 $918,185

Bella Vista $109,789 $109,599 -0.2 $418,043 $426,843

Lowell $156,873 $179,624 +14.5 $687,537 $909,348

Source: Staff Report

Rogers sales tax rose to $1,089,713 this month compared to $969,896 for the same period last year — a $119,816 increase. April 2012 was the last month the city didn’t cross the $1 million threshold in sales tax revenue.

“I was surprised when I got the numbers today, I wasn’t expecting a 12 percent increase, but I’ll take it,” said Casey Wilhelm, Rogers finance director.

“This might be the new normal for Rogers, at least I hope so. Our sales tax revenue continues to climb thanks to new businesses opening in Rogers. We are up this year compared to last year. We budgeted for a $1.1 million increase in sales tax revenue, I think we will make that and more, Wilhelm added.

Fayetteville was up $1,226 over last year, receiving $1,371,825 this month compared with $1,370,602 for the same period last year, a 0.9 percent increase.

“Well we are up slightly over last year. I would like to see higher performance but we are at least holding our own for now, ” said Paul Becker, Fayettevillle finance director.

County sales tax revenue was up for the same period, Becker added, which has the city budget on track.

Springdale eked out a 0.7 percent increase this month, bringing in $834,571 compared with $828,763 last April, a $5,808 difference.

“As long as the number is positive, we’re happy, said Wyman Morgan, Springdale’s director of administration and financial services.

“We’re doing all right so far this year. Our collections are running ahead for the same four-month period last year. I expect our sales tax revenue will continue to increase with the number of jobs that have been created and some new businesses in the pipeline,” Morgan said.

Last month Bentonville received more than $1 million in sales tax revenue, dropping this month to $681,902. In April 2012 the city received $694,381, losing $22,479 for the same period this year, a 3.2 percent decrease.

“I’m OK with the numbers but not thrilled. We were off this month compared to last year, but for the year, we’re ahead of where we were for the same time period,” said Denise Land, Bentonville finance director.

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