Two of the Golden Triangle’s main cities – Starkville and Columbus – saw a decline in June sales tax collections, while West Point’s returns marked a slight gain for the city.
Starkville collected $442,302.86 in non-food, beverage and hotel taxes in June. That figure is the second-lowest grossing total of this calendar year but still the second-highest June total ever recorded by the city. The amount is equal to a .58 percent — $2,593.92 — decline from June 2012’s total.
Columbus saw a more-significant decline compared to June 2012 figures — almost $31,000 –while West Point posted a minimal $1,054 increase in collections over the same timeframe.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue collects 81.5 percent of the 7 percent sales tax from municipalities and distributes the remaining 18.5 percent back to the municipalities over a three-month cycle.
Starkville collected about $128,247 from its restaurant tax in June. A full breakdown of 2 percent food and beverage collections over the fiscal and calendar year were unavailable from the city at press time. Taxes collected from the city’s hotels spiked 77.07 percent in June compared to last year’s figure. The city reported $15,427.63 from its 2 percent hotel tax alone, a figure which reflects Starkville’s second-highest month this calendar year.
Starkville has collected almost $2.80 million in non-2 percent monies for the calendar year.
Columbus’ non-2 percent tax receipts also declined in June. The city collected $710,565.63 for the month, a $30,686.96 decline compared to June 2012. Motel taxes also dropped over the same timeframe from $25,465.41 to $21,330.30. Its restaurant tax, however, increased from $123,200.67 to $125,164.70 over the one-year span.
So far this year, Columbus has collected $1.72 million in general sales taxes.
Although minor, West Point recorded the only general sales tax increase for June compared to last year’s figures. The city collected $176,261.79 for the month, which bests its June 2012 figure of $175,207.56.
May returns mark the start of West Point’s yearly tax totals. Since then, the city has collected $352,399.21 from general collections. In all, the city collected $2.11 million in 2012.
Columbus
Aug. 2013
$710,565.63
Aug. 2012
$741,252.59
Decrease of $30,686.96
West Point
Aug. 2013
$176,261.79
Aug. 2012
$175,207.56
Increase of $1,054.23
Starkville
Aug. 2013
$442,302.86
Aug. 2012
$444,896.78
Decrease of $2,593.92
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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