Batesville sales tax shows sharp drop

By Rupert Howell

The City of Batesville’s share of sales taxes received from the state in January, for taxes collected in the city during November 2008, were down 14 percent over November 2007 according to recently released figures of the State Tax Commission.

Year-to-date figures from July 1 show a decrease of four percent.

The City’s share of sales taxes collected amounted to $265,178. That amount is approximately 18 percent of the total seven percent collected on each retail sales dollar within the city limits.

The year-to-date figure paid to the City since the state’s fiscal year began July 1 is $1,771,556.

Average collections across the state for the same reporting period were down three percent and year-to-date collections are down one percent according to State Tax Commission figures.

Sales tax helps fund state government as well as municipal functions such as fire and police service.

On a brighter note, collections for Batesville’s Tourism and Development Tax were up 23 percent for the month of December totaling $91,401. That money is derived from a three-percent tax on restaurant food and beverages and motel/hotel rooms. That year-to-date total is also up seven percent with the City of Batesville receiving $478,445 since July 1 through the three percent tax.

The City of Sardis was one of the only local municipalities to show an increase in collections during the same reporting period. That municipality’s share was up approximately one-third going to $27,346 from $20,604 the year prior. Year-to-date figures are also up, 17 percent totaling $162,150.

Other Panola County municipalities’ shares showed increases or (-) decreases in the amount of  and percentage respectively: Como, $15,401, -4; Courtland, $1,109, -25; Crenshaw, $3,375, +9; Crowder, $1,353, -17 and Pope, $1,820, -14.

Other Batesville trade area municipalities received their share with percentage of increase, -decrease respectively: Charleston, $26,282, -4;  Lambert, $2,739, -4; Marks, $18,547, -9; Oakland, $3,944, -1; Taylor, $1,679, 4; and Water Valley, $36,359, -6.