Jacksonville's sales tax allocations lag 4.79% behind 2006 year-to-date

Sales tax rebates released by the state comptroller's office show a mixed bag for cities in Cherokee County.

For the second month in a row, Jacksonville's retail sales are lagging behind the same period one year ago.

In the chart below, figures represent purchases made during March. Sales tax collections were remitted to the comptroller's office in April, and rebates to cities and counties were made during May.

New Summerfield had a slight drop at .67 percent.

Other cities in Cherokee County fared better with positive growth.

In the year-to-date column comparing 2007 and 2006, Alto's economy has grown by more than 14 percent. Cuney posted an increase of 18.27 percent; Rusk, 12.86 percent; Wells, 13.29 percent.

Cherokee County also charges a half-cent sales tax, which reflects gain of slightly over 16 percent.

Statewide, State Comptroller Susan Combs sent tax allocations of $372.6 million to taxing entities.

Counties statewide received $31.1 million. The city and county rebates in the year-to-date column reflect a growth rate of 8.2 and 7.4 percent respectively.

"Sales tax revenue continues to show steady growth," Mrs. Combs said. "It indicates that our Texas economy is in good health."