By Denny Deady | Published Thursday, September 10, 2009
August sales tax allocations to local governments across the state were down 6.8 percent compared to this time last year. In Wise County, allocations were down much more than the state average.
Every city in the county with the exception of Aurora experienced a decline in revenue. Bridgeport took the biggest hit, with a 63 percent decline from August 2008. Bridgeport received $172,774, compared to $461,520 at this time last year. For the year, Bridgeport is down 29 percent, with $2,174,193 earned. Other major losses were felt by the cities of Alvord, -51 percent; Chico, -44 percent; Paradise, -41 percent; and Boyd, -39 percent.
Decatur's share of the revenue, $341,955 represents a 9 percent loss compared to the $375,817 received at this time last year. For the year, Decatur has earned $2,468,069, 2 percent less than the city earned last year through July.
Wise County's share of the sales tax rebate was $320,089 in July, down 26 percent from last year. For the year, the county is down 12 percent, at $2.9 million.
August sales tax allocations represent sales taxes collected in June by businesses that report sales taxes monthly, and sales taxes collected in April, May and June by quarterly filers.
