Edmond gets an unexpected $87,799 check

That sales tax refund is historically included in the October sales tax collection check. City Finance Director Ross VanderHamm said an apparent computer system glitch resulted in two checks for the last two weeks of August and first half of September.

“None of the cities knew it wasn't included until we received a separate check,” VanderHamm said.

Although consumers are not charged sales tax during the tax-free promotion days, cities are reimbursed sales tax money from the state.

This year's check was an increase over last year, when Edmond received $82,140.

In 2010-2011, the check totaled $85,900. Over the past five years, the largest check was in 2009-2010 when the city received $89,058.

For the first four months this fiscal year, Edmond has had good sales tax collections.

With the addition of the tax-free refund, Edmond has had a 19.3 percent increase, or $2.9 million, from the same period a year ago for the 3.25 percent sales tax rate.