Many area cities experience sales slump during April with drop in tax allocations

While the economies around the state are expanding, a slump seems to be settling over Cherokee County.

Sales tax figures recently released by the state comptroller's office indicate that growth in sales tax revenue remains healthy around the state.

But in Cherokee County's cities, the cash registers aren't jingling as often. Jacksonville, the largest city in the county, posted a 6.58 percent drop in sales for the month of April when compared to the same period a year ago.

Year-to-date, Jacksonville sales tax is showing a 5.05 decline over the same period in 2006.

For a comparison of purchases made during April 2006 and 2005, other Cherokee County cities are showing declines.

Rusk showed a 7.32 decline in sales, followed by Wells, 4.50 percent and Alto .31 percent.

Posting increases were Cuney, 124.79 percent and New Summerfield, 9.95 percent.

Wide variations in sales tax numbers frequently occur in small cities and are usually associated with retailers who missed a payment in one month and double-paid the following month.

Comptroller Susan Combs attributes the healthy statewide growth to oil and gas, manufacturing and retail trade sectors. Texas cities collected $283.6 million in sales tax allocations.