Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Cache County sales tax revenue on upward trend

Cache County's monthly sales tax figures are showing an increasing trend. For the last five months of 2010 data available, the county option sales tax - one-quarter of a percent on sales in the entire county - shows revenues up over their corresponding 2009 levels, with September's total being the only exception. For the 2010 figures from January through October - the most current available - just three months were down from 2009 in terms of the county option sales tax.

In contrast, in 2009, 11 months of the year showed decreases compared to 2008 levels. Despite the positive trend in recent months, County Executive Lynn Lemon said it will take time for sales tax figures to rise to those seen in 2007 and 2008. The county is not raising property taxes for 2011. Lemon added that given the current increasing trend in sales taxes, the county should be able to maintain services without reducing its workforce.

He believes the county is well-positioned financially entering the new year, estimating the amount in the county's reserve fund at $5.1 million at the end of 2010. "We've been really careful in the past," Lemon said. "We've got a decent reserve fund, and right now it looks like our revenues are coming in to meet our expenses. So I think we're in decent shape."

The Herald Journal