August sales tax diversions show year-over-year growth throughout the Golden Triangle, ranging from a 2.4% to a 6.2% rise.
Columbus received $972,022 from the Mississippi Department of Revenue for August, up $23,796 from the same month last year.
The city has received $10,434,200 so far this fiscal year, compared to $9,942,225 by this time in FY 2022, marking a 4.8% improvement. That leaves the city less than $70,000 of its budgeted $10.5 million in sales tax revenue with a month left in the fiscal year.
Sales tax diversions run on a three-month window, in which they are collected by retailers one month, sent to MDOR the next and then disbursed to cities and counties the third. Therefore, August diversions generally reflect sales from June.
The city’s 2% restaurant tax, which helps to fund the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, recreation for the county and city and industrial development initiatives led by the Golden Triangle Development LINK, also showed growth this month, bringing in $201,698, compared to $178,573 in August 2022. The city has collected $2,060,946 so far this fiscal year, compared to $1,812,565 by the same point in 2022.
The 2% hotel/motel tax, which funds Trotter Convention Center, brought in $33,421 this month compared to $295,222 last August.
Fiscal year-to-date, the tax has brought in $337,345 compared to $302,464 by this time last year.
Starkville
Starkville received $736,069 this month, compared to $691,466 in August 2022, marking a 6.2% improvement.
City year-to-date collections of $8,150,712 are still slightly up over last year’s $8,011,292. With only a month left in the fiscal year, collections are not on pace to reach the $9.3 million for which the city budgeted.
Mayor Lynn Spruill said she is happy to see that Starkville is still experiencing a year-over-year growth.
“I’m delighted about it, and I hope it continues,” Spruill said. “I’m really excited about the upcoming fall because we have an eight-home-game season (for Mississippi State University football). That should reflect well on sales tax and food and beverage as well.”
According to figures released with its sales tax numbers, the city saw a rise in its 3% restaurant sales tax diversions and in its 1% hotel tax as compared to last year.
The city received $327,731 in August restaurant tax collections — which assist in funding for economic development and tourism as well as sports facilities — a 10.4% jump from August 2022.
Fiscal year-to-date collections of $3,680,517 are up 8.11% over the $3,393,515 collected by this time last year.
The city’s 1% hotel tax, which funds sports facilities, brought in $22,165, compared to $18,957 in August 2022, marking a 15.6% increase. So far this fiscal year, the city has collected $199,648, marking a 14.7% improvement from this time last year ($172,327).
West Point
West Point received $238,650 from MDOR this month, marking a 2.7% improvement from August 2022 ($232,244).
So far this fiscal year, the city has received $482,257, compared to $472,939 this time last year, marking a 1.9% improvement. The city’s fiscal year begins in July, whereas fiscal years in Columbus and Starkville start Oct. 1.
Mayor Rod Bobo did not respond to calls or messages made by The Dispatch by press time.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion