July 14th, 2010
Sales tax collections up in San Marcos, Hays County

STAFF REPORT

San Marcos sales tax collections moved ahead in July with a 9.91 percent increase in revenues, reflecting May 2010 retail sales compared to May 2009.

The city collected $1,453,695 or an increase of $131,097 over the same period a year ago. The healthy May numbers put the city 1.38 percent ahead for the first nine months of the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 compared to actual collections last year, or an increase of $183,143. However, revenues remain $201,371 below budgeted projections for this point in the fiscal year.

The San Marcos numbers tracked increased revenues across the board in Hays County where total sales tax collections for all taxing entities were up 10.7 percent, from $2,606,449 to $2,887,061. For the year to date, countywide collections stood at $21,144,690, about 5.4 percent more than the $20,058,634 collected at the same point in the 2009 fiscal year.

Other corridor cities generally fared well with the exception of Georgetown:

• New Braunfels — 9.57 percent
  
• Georgetown — -5.94 percent
  
• Round Rock —  19.26 percent
  
• Seguin — 14.67 percent
  
• Austin — 8.34 percent
  
• Kyle —  32.11 percent
  

“The increases that San Marcos and other cities are showing indicate continued improvement in the area economy,” said Mayor Susan Narvaiz. “However, we are closely monitoring revenues and expenditures as we face these uncertain times.”

Sales tax revenues from retail sales account for 48.1 percent of San Marcos general fund revenues.