County’s Sales Tax Revenue Already Past $2 Million Mark

Soaring property values aren’t the only thing bringing more tax income to Fayette County. Sales tax receipts are soaring too. With receipt of August’s payment from State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, Fayette County has taken in more than $2 million so far in 2022. That’s up 33.3% from the same time last year. In terms of actual dollars, the county’s sales tax income is more than half a million dollars greater than it was the first eight months of 2021. Of the nine area counties that levy the optional local sales tax, Fayette County has grown more than all but one. Burleson County’s revenue is up 36.0% from this time last year. All nine counties have seen growth this year, and all but one (Caldwell County) have doubledigit increases.

Sales tax receipts are generally seen as reflective of a community’s overall economy.

Of the seven incorporated towns in Fayette County, all have seen growth this year, but Schulenburg leads the way.

The county’s second largest city has been in the news lately for a gas war, with ultra low prices getting lots of attention. But apparently the overall retail economy there is booming, too.

Schulenburg got over $130,000 for August alone, up nearly 35% from the same month last year. For the year to date, Schulenburg has received $602,133, compared to $551,990 this time last year. That’s a gain of 32.6%.

Carmine has the next largest percentage gain, at 18.6%.

La Grange is up 12.9% for the year. Its $1,671,560 is nearly $200,000 more than last year’s pace.

Flatonia, at $387,288, remains the county’s third largest trade center, but Round Top is at $261,493 and growing at a faster pace. Fayetteville has received $82,602 as of August, a 5.1% gain, and Ellinger got $41,858. There is no comparison for Ellinger, which adopted a city sales tax less than a year ago.

All of the 25 towns tracked by the Record are up compared to last year. Shiner, although only 24th among the 25 in dollar amount, had the greatest growth – up 41.9% from a year ago.

Bastrop remains the area’s largest trade center, followed by Brenham. The local sales tax has put over $7.5 million in Bastrop’s treasury so far this year, and over $6 million in Brenham’s.