Bentonville and Rogers led the area with 11 percent increases in sales tax receipts for the month of July, according to numbers released Monday by the state.
By The Numbers
Sales Tax Numbers For July
City 2011 2012 Percentage Change
Bentonville $673,515 $751,886 +11.6
Rogers $987,520 $1,099,085 +11.3
Springdale $872,594 $866,858 -0.7
Fayetteville $1,342,993 $1,442,433 +7.4
Siloam Springs $233,997 $231,162 -1.2
Bella Vista $94,593 $106,416 +12.5
Lowell $214,804 $208,704 -2.8
Source: Staff Report
Fayetteville held steady with a 7.4 percent increase. Springdale sales tax numbers dropped 0.7 percent compared with strong July numbers last year.
Sales tax revenue reported in July reflects May tax collected in June. Comparisons are based on collections from the same month in the previous year. Each city, with the exception of Bella Vista, collects a 2 percent sales tax. One percent is devoted to repaying bonds. The other 1 percent goes into each city's general fund and is available for operations. For the purpose of this report, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers tracks the 1 percent going into general funds.
Bentonville showed the highest percentage increase compared with figures from the same period last year. The city took in $751,886 compared with $673,515, an increase of $78,371 or 11.6 percent.
“I’m really pleased with the way our numbers are looking,” said Denise Land, Bentonville finance director. “I just hope it continues.”
Receipts are also up overall for the year, Land said.
Rogers had the second-highest percentage increase at 11.3 percent. The city took in $1,099,085 compared with $987,520 last year in July, an increase of $111,565.
It is the third month in a row for Rogers to surpass the million-dollar mark. The trend is encouraging and projections call for it to continue, said Mayor Greg Hines. Regional sales tax growth has been good, he said. Two large retailers, Cabela’s and Fresh Market, are scheduled to open in Rogers within the next month, Hines said.
“I hope that the million-dollar trend continues and it should continue through the end of the year,” Hines said.
Fayetteville had the highest sales tax return in the area. The city took in $1,442,433 compared with $1,342,993 during the same period last year, an increase of $99,440 or 7.4 percent. Budgets were projected as flat, but a 7 percent increase is about average for the year so far, said Paul Becker, Fayetteville’s finance director.
“That’s good news for us,” Becker said of the increase.
Numbers dipped slightly for Springdale. The city took in $866,858, down from $872,594 during the same period the year before. The $5,736 difference meant a decrease of 0.7 percent. Last year July receipts were exceptionally strong, said Wyman Morgan, Springdale’s director of finance and administration.
“We’re happy with the average,” Morgan said.
The city is still ahead of last year’s receipts by $293,217 overall.
“We’re ready to rebound,” Morgan said.
Sales tax receipts were up 12.5 percent in Bella Vista, down 1.2 percent in Siloam Springs and down 2.8 percent in Lowell.