Columbus received $942,440 from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, down $72,951 from November 2022, marking only the second time in 14 months that the city saw a dip in collections.
The city has received $1,015,391 so far this fiscal year, compared to $1,951,176 in November 2022, the first time fiscal year-to-date collections fell below the previous years since July 2020, according to MDR collection data.
Chief Financial Officer James Brigham said the dip was “concerning” but not yet cause for concern since it is still early in the city’s fiscal year.
“What we have to do now is watch to see if a trend starts,” Brigham said.
Despite the drop in general sales tax, the city saw improvement in its 2% restaurant sales 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. It brought in $203,506 this month, compared to $186,834 in November 2022. That tax has collected $411,195 so far this fiscal year, compared to $371,733 by the same point in 2022.
The city’s 1% hotel tax brought in $44,762, showing a 0.02% fall from November 2022 ($44,771). So far this fiscal year, the city has collected $80,751, compared to $74,409 by this time in 2022.
Starkville
Starkville received $819,648 from the Mississippi Department of Revenue this month, up $38,751 from November 2022 ($780,897).
The city has received $1,608,516 so far this fiscal year, compared to $1,537,024 in November 2022, marking a 4.5% improvement.
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, November diversions generally reflect sales from September.
According to figures released with its sales tax numbers, the city saw a rise in its 3% restaurant sales tax diversions, as well as in its 1% hotel tax as compared to this time last year.
The city received $425,283 in November restaurant tax collections — which assist in funding for economic development and tourism as well as sports facilities — a 8.08% rise from November 2022. Fiscal year to date collections of $832,681 are up 8.9% over last year’s $761,660.
The city’s 1% hotel tax, which funds recreation, brought in $28,039, compared to $22,486 in November 2022, marking a 21.9% increase. So far this fiscal year, the city has collected $50,811, marking a 18.9% improvement from this time last year ($42,013).
West Point
West Point received $220,544 from MDR this month, marking an 8.4% fall from November 2022 ($239,938).
So far this fiscal year, the city has received $1,212,158, compared to $1,184,468 by November 2022, marking a 2.3% improvement.
West Point’s fiscal year runs July 1 through June 30.
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 30 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 30 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