Sales tax receipt revenue is rising in Oklahoma metro
Sales tax receipt revenue is rising in Oklahoma metro

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By Tim Henley

Published: September 11, 2008

Most metro-area cities saw an increase in August sales tax revenue compared to one year ago, according to the August sales tax report released by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

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Out of the 23 metro-area cities tracked, 22 of them saw an increase, including Blanchard, Edmond, Norman, Chandler, Guthrie and Warr Acres.

Blanchard saw the biggest increase in the August returns, based primarily on sales from June 16 to July 15. The city brought in $142,950 — a 48 percent increase from a year ago.

Blanchard City Manager Hank Weber attributed the increase to the expansion of Highway 62 from two lanes to five.

Weber said since the highway expanded, traffic flow has increased and more retail and restaurant businesses have moved into that area.

Edmond and Norman both saw slight increases in their sales tax revenue from a year ago.

Edmond brought in more than $3.5 million, up 6 percent compared to August 2007.

Edmond Economic Development Authority Executive Director Janet Yowell said the city has been strong in the restaurant and hotel categories.

"Our hotel rooms have been booked throughout the summer for sporting events,” she said.

Norman had a nearly 9 percent increase with almost $3.7 million. Finance Director Anthony Francisco said the growth can be attributed partly to an increase in back-to-school shopping this year.

He also said new retailers in the University North Park shopping center helped the city see an increase.

A new Walmart Supercenter that opened during the past year helped Chandler see an increase in sales tax revenue, City Manager James Melson said.

The city's August check was for $198,297, up 33 percent from a year ago.

Melson also cited a steady housing market in the area as a reason for the increase.

Guthrie showed a 23 percent increase from a year ago with $305,933 in sales tax revenue from the period.

City Manager Melody Kellogg said the new Walmart and Walgreens along with The Shoe Department store, Cato clothing store and new restaurants opening during the past year led to the increase.

"With high gas prices, people are choosing to stay here to do their shopping,” she said.

A higher sales tax rate helped the city of Warr Acres see a big jump from a year ago. The city's revenue check was for $379,704, a nearly 26 percent increase.

In August 2007, the sales tax rate was 3 percent compared to the current 4 percent rate.

Purcell was the only metro-area city tracked that reported a decline for the period. The city's check was for $317,950 versus $320,193 for the same period a year ago.

Purcell Clerk-Treasurer Shauna Long said she could not pinpoint the cause of the decrease.

"There's nothing really going on here that's any different than normal, Long said.

Related Topics: Public Finance, Politics, Shopping, Taxes, Sales Tax, Local Politics