Bridgeport holds onto tax lead

Published Thursday, May 1, 2008

By Denny Deady

Bridgeport continues to lead the county in sales tax rebates, picking up $333,551 in April, a 157 percent increase over this time a year ago.

Bridgeport has earned $1.4 million for the year, a 68 percent increase over April 2007.

Decatur received $236,095 in April, a 4 percent increase over April 2007. Decatur is up 9 percent on the year at almost $1.2 million.

Chico's rebate, $53,713, is a 128 percent increase over the $23,537 the city received this time last year. Chico is up 59 percent for the year, at $189,260.

Four cities the county felt declines in April including Alvord, down 19 percent; Lake Bridgeport, down 40 percent; Newark, down 20 percent and Paradise, down 6 percent. Only Alvord and Lake Bridgeport show a decrease on the year.

Wise County's share of the April rebate was $370,253, a 34 percent increase over last year. The county has earned almost $1.6 million so far this year, a 19 percent increase over 2007 at this time.

April payments to local governments represent sales that occurred in February.

Statewide, sales tax collections were up 7 percent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.