PALESTINE —
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recently announced that state sales tax revenue in July was $2.05 billion, up 10.1 percent compared to July 2011.
“Business spending in the oil and natural gas industry and other sectors continues to be robust,” Combs said. “That spending, along with increases in consumer sectors such as retail trade, continues to boost sales tax collections. State sales tax revenue has now increased for 28 consecutive months.”
Combs sent August local sales tax allocations totaling $632.1 million to cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts. August sales tax allocations are up 4.2 percent compared to August 2011.
Texas cities received $418 million, up 2.7 percent compared to August 2011. So far this calendar year, city sales tax allocations are up 7.6 percent compared to the same time period last year.
Reports of all of Anderson County’s three municipalities — the cities of Palestine, Frankston and Elkhart — all showed decreased payments this month, with drops of 8.57 percent, 6.75 percent and 10.67 percent, respectively.
The City of Palestine’s sales tax payment of $580,225 dropped $54,387 compared to last year’s August payment of $634,612. The year-to-date payment of $4,083,972 increased $13,499 compared to the August 2011 payments to date of $4,097,471.
The City of Frankston’s payment went down $1,310 — from $19,393 to $18,083 compared to the August 2011 payment. The city’s year to date payments increased, though — going up $4,845 in comparison to the 2011 August year to date payment of $125,100.
The City of Elkhart’s payment of $9,203 dropped $1,099 versus last year’s August payment of $10,302. Year-to-date allocations increased $2,737 — from $60,990 in 2011 to $64,827 in sales tax allocations received so far in 2012.
Texas counties received sales tax payments of $40.6 million, up 7.8 percent compared to last August. So far this year, sales tax allocations to counties are running 13.7 percent ahead of this point in 2011.
Anderson County’s sales tax payment increased, with an August payment of $232,223 — up $22,989, or 10.98 percent over last year’s August payment of $209,234.
So far this year, the county has received $1,644,248 in sales tax payments — up $183,981 (12.59 percent) compared to the 2011 payments to date of $1,460,257.
Combs sent $31.2 million to Texas’ special purpose taxing districts, up 14.8 percent compared to last August. Local transit systems got $142.3 million in sales tax allocations, up 5.4 percent compared to a year ago.
The sales tax figures represent monthly sales made in June as well as April, May and June sales by businesses that report tax quarterly.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com
Local News
Cities, county get sales tax payments
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Boil water notice issued for Elkhart residents
A boil water notice has been issued for City of Elkhart residents. It reads as follows:
Due to a water main line break, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, City of Elkhart PWS id 0010005, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption. -
Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
The City of Palestine Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the first full season for the Reagan Park Spray Ground with an public opening event this Saturday.
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Annual Bluegrass Music Festival begins today at Salmon Lake
Bluegrass bands from across the country will descend upon the Grapeland area this week for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival, opening today and continuing through Sunday at Salmon Lake Park.
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Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
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Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
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Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
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Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
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Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. -
Residents urged to welcome back local troops on Wednesday
Palestine area residents are asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
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