Local cities in Central Texas manage sales tax growth

Sales tax revenue was up in Texas for the 26th month in a row in May, according to the Texas state comptroller’s office. The question now in the state Legislature about how to utilize those dollars, but locally it means one thing: managing growth. Harker Heights collected almost $426,600, a 12.2 percent increase from May 2011. The total reflects sales tax collected in April and reported to the state in May. For the year to date, Harker Heights has collected 13.4 percent more than at this point last year.

The month-to-month sales tax revenues do not have much impact on Harker Heights’ goal of supplying residents with high-quality housing, shopping, parks and safe neighborhoods.  Copperas Cove collected about $286,025 from the May reporting period, which represents a 3.34 percent increase from 2011. City Budget Director Ryan Haverlah noted that Copperas Cove’s sales tax revenues do not fluctuate very much from month to month. Killeen received $1,500,119, up 6.32 percent from May 2011. Overall, the city is up 7.26 percent for the year.

Although he is grateful Central Texas has fared better than many other parts of the country, interim City Manager Glenn Morrison is hopeful increased sales tax revenues are a signal that the economy is on the mend. State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, is not surprised to see the Killeen area steadily collecting more sales tax revenues each month. Aycock, who sits on the Public Education Committee, hopes the increased revenues will lead to improved education and social services in his district and around Texas.